N Books

Well let me tell you you are wrong if you don't already have this book! This book is simply breathtaking. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to get it! I've never heard a Harriet Tubman story told quite this way before. She prays to God and listens to His responses to lead her away from slavery that first fateful time. I actually felt like I was there...hiding...holding my breath. Will she make it? Of course we know the answer but the way the book s written is just amazing.

Now on the equally tantalizing images. Kadir Nelson lives up to his reputation here. Quality through and through with this project. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

Beautiful pictures, historically accurate account of Harriet Tubman in a personal way, told from her point of view. Excellent for thrid graders.

This book is truly inspirational. It shows what one person in God's hand can do to change the world around them. Harriet Tubman was truly a heroine. She was a humble person who was raised up to do a great and mighty thing. The illustrations are wonderfully drawn and the writing is almost poetic. This is a wonderful story for parents who are trying to teach their children about social justice, hearing the voice of God, and communing with Him. I highly recommend it!

This is a very spiritual book. We have a copy for our home and gave one to the Godparents. It has a creative flair to it and lots of wisdom. It is a good guide to remembering to trust in God.

This is a wonderful inspirational book I found for my grandchildren. You do not need to be of African heritage to appreciate the message that it was God that got her through her trying circumstances. Great history lesson too. Don't relegate it to Black History Month only.

I was raised in Southern California and now reside in Indiana. I could not be happier that Coach Wooden also called both places his home. Though he clearly is a midwesterner at heart---as am I now---his legend truly grew in Los Angeles.

As my title indicates, we need more coaches like John Wooden here in 2008. Can you imagine what the current crop of college ballers would be like if they had a mentor and role model like Wooden? He had depth, insight, was spiritual, a reader, a thinker, etc. This was not required, but he knew all these attributes were necessary to grow "student athletes" into successful players and adults. Even a hippie like Bill Walton, the antithesis to a noble, mature person like Wooden---respects and admires "Coach." Wooden knew how to reach all. His quotes---taken from other coaches, his father and his own mind---are ones to heed. I have the Pyramid of Success on my wall at work.

He hated dunking, showboating, selfishness, hedonism, etc. He'd loathe the brainwashing and lack of civility rampant on today's college and high school campuses.

This bio spans a wonderful, rich life, leaving no stone or thought unturned; no mind or theory unchallenged or ungrown.

A remarkbale living legend, G-d bless Mr. Wooden (who is still alive at the age of 97) and all he has done for the game and collegians everywhere.

John Wooden has figured out some of the secrets of life. And he passes them on directly, in a way that can be transformational for a reader.

John Wooden is a hero of mine. His own heroes include Abraham Lincoln and Mother Theresa. Like them, he is a treasure for all of us because his life and lessons demonstrate what it means to live to "our personal best" in a way that is simple, profound and so clear.

This book should be required reading in "Human Being 101".

We grow up hearing about the importance of developing " good character", not always knowing what it is, or just how to obtain it. All of Wooden's books give his personal guidelines for developing character and living a decent life, whether we are athletes, musicians, teachers, or anything else.
Wooden's teachings have stood the test of time. His life and those he has influenced are proof of that.
I use his wisdom for myself, and I pass it on to all my students. They all know who John Wooden is. His life blesses us all.

This is a great book to help any coach of any sport get a good feel for the right way to coach young players. Teach them good life lessons and skills. It gives an insight into a great coach and even greater man.

John Wooden is one of my heroes. When I was growing up, his teams were dominant, but more importantly, they made the game beautiful to watch. After he retired at the peak of his game, he quietly stepped off the stage. With the rush of books on leadership in the 1990's through the present, it was inevitable, and overdue, that folks take time to examine Coach Wooden's approach to leadership. This has led to a cottage industry in Wooden books.

This book is short, personal and focuses on life lessons learned from the narrative of Coach's life. It doesn't attempt to be weighty, just a good read, that imparts wisdom without hitting you over the head with it. It touches on each chapter of Coach Wooden's life, and particularly shows the infuence of his father, his high school and college coaches and his growth thru experience

This is a fun, easy read that leaves the reader wiser. Highly recommend

Anyone who likes Larry Niven's work at all should be happy with this book.

From Tom Clancy's introduction, along with others by co-authors and editors, through all the stories - and this basically includes his best work of all (Inconstant Moon and All the Myriad Ways), along with some other good stories. In fact, even with the excerpt scores averaging almost 3.50.

Even the excerpts are well done, the fun scene from Ringworld a good choice, for example.

Throughout, Niven offers commentary, and non-fiction pieces include an extensive look at how they put together the setting for The Mote In God's Eye, and also a piece outlining plans to write something that would satirise Known Space as all a hoax.

Then at the end a few thoughts and an advice paper apparently that he and some other writers, including Pournell did for some political body or other.

I'd probably call this a 4.25 I think.

N-Space : excerpt from World of Ptavvs - Larry Niven
N-Space : Bordered in Black - Larry Niven
N-Space : Convergent Series [short story] - Larry Niven
N-Space : All the Myriad Ways [short story] - Larry Niven
N-Space : excerpt from A Gift from Earth - Larry Niven
N-Space : For a Foggy Night - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Meddler - Larry Niven
N-Space : Passerby - Larry Niven
N-Space : excerpt from Ringworld - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Fourth Profession - Larry Niven
N-Space : Inconstant Moon [short story] - Larry Niven
N-Space : What Can You Say about Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers? - Larry Niven
N-Space : Cloak of Anarchy - Larry Niven
N-Space : excerpt from Protector - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Hole Man [short story] - Larry Niven
N-Space : Night on Mispec Moor - Larry Niven
N-Space : Flare Time - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Locusts - Larry Niven and Steven Barnes
N-Space : excerpt from The Mote in God's Eye - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
N-Space : Mote Lite - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
N-Space : Brenda - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Return of William Proxmire - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Tale of the Jinni and the Sisters - Larry Niven
N-Space : Madness Has Its Place - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Kiteman - Larry Niven


She puffs on Pluto.

3 out of 5


Overcee project farm people find.

3 out of 5


Demon summoming time limit Atom solution.

3.5 out of 5


Murder maybe multiverse.

4.5 out of 5


Slowboat reservation.

3 out of 5


Vaguely lost.

3 out of 5


PI no Martian Manhunter.

3.5 out of 5


A specially adapted ramscoop ship pilot gets in trouble in space, when he sees a large golden alien humanoid. He finds himself rescued and transported 12 light years instantaneously back to Earth.

3.5 out of 5


Various biffo, with or without laser beams.

3.5 out of 5


Alien alcohol test case quad pill investigation.

3.5 out of 5


Really lunary weather we're having.

4.5 out of 5


Strange party alien trip.

3 out of 5


Free Park experiment not bright.

4 out of 5


Three stage dude adjustment.

3 out of 5


Quantum black hole is ridiculous overkill.

3.5 out of 5


Offworld mercenary Cabell nightwalker Spectrum Cure.

4 out of 5


Fuxed up entertainment production mission.

3.5 out of 5


Monkey kid form peak.

4 out of 5


Abandon ship, the little bastiches have weapons.

3.5 out of 5


Hey! That looks different.

3.5 out of 5


Sauron attacks Dagon City. Who'd like to see that?

3.5 out of 5


Heinlein time alteration.

3.5 out of 5


Harem sneaky story.

3 out of 5


ARM to schizo arm.

3.5 out of 5


Flying lessons.

3 out of 5

This book is at the top of my "If I were stranded on a desert island..." list. I don't love everything Niven's ever written, but this sampler has something for everyone. This isn't just the best of Niven, it's some of the best SF written in the last 40 years. What's also nice is the inclusion of hard-to-find stories like "For A Foggy Night" and the non-fiction slice of life stuff. NSpace, Playgrounds of the Mind, and the later Scatterbrain provide an unparalleled look at the career of one of SFs greats. If you read no other science fiction this decade, read these books.

I purchased "N-Space" and its sequel "Playgrounds Of The Mind" in summer of 1992, totally unaware of who Larry Niven was, or that he already had such a lengthy history in the science fiction community. At that point (my first year in college) I had not read a lot of SF beyond the confines of Star Trek novels; save the space opera of W. Michael Gear and the military SF of Chris Bunch & Allan Cole. I didn't even really know what 'hard' science fiction was, and picked up "N-Space" and "Playgrounds Of The Mind" because I was pining for something different--perhaps more challenging?

Oh boy, did I ever get my wish! I soon discovered that "N-Space" is not a straightforward science fiction novel, but rather a mega-compilation of short stories, novellas, and outtakes from novels, spanning Niven's (apparently) decades-spanning SF career. I spent the fall and winter of 1992 totally falling in love with Niven's various universes, and the characters that inhabit them. Moreover, I fell in love with the 'hard' aspect of Niven's work, which compared to the space opera I had been previously reading, was rigorously rooted in the realities of physics and science. I was enchanted by the idea that you could stick to real science (mostly) and still tell amazing and adventurous science fiction stories. In fact, much of Niven's hard SF ranks superior to a great deal of softer material precisely because of its 'realistic' flavor. The generic, and often rubbery gadgets and technology of softer fare is religiously replaced in Niven's work by concrete extrapolations, based on what we understand about the universe in the present time.

Now, with that in mind, I would caution younger or less experienced readers, where "N-Space" is concerned. Especially since the book is not a novel unto itself, it's easy to get lost or distracted in this book. So many different ideas, concepts, times, places, and characters, are all hurled at you at once. If you're not ready to hang on for the ride, you're liable to get thrown off! Thus, if you're brand new to science fiction, or if you were like I was, and only familiar with media SF or military/opera, you need to understand that "N-Space" is a very different kind of book that gives a very different kind of read.

Still, Niven has enormous talent, not just for telling hard SF stories, but for telling them with wit, insight into character, and not just a little humour. His imagination when it comes to world-creation is dazzling, and his alien races and places are some of the most memorable I have ever read. Like a smorgasbord, "N-Space" gives us a healthy portion from virtually all of Larry's playgrounds, both well known and obscure. By the time I was done with "N-Space" I launched voraciously into "Playgrounds Of The Mind", which is essentially the second half of "N-Space"; the two books serving as the first and second parts of one, giant collection.

I've since gone on to explore the majority of the works that "N-Space" touches upon, and after a decade of consuming Niven I consider him to be, perhaps, my all-time favorite SF writer. "N-Space" is not his best single work, it is the best from his best, and as such, makes an outstanding primer for anyone who has never read Niven, but wants to becoming broadly and deliciously acquainted with his work.

At one time the term "science fiction" caused eyebrows to raise. "Isn't that reading for losers who can't relate to others well?" Larry Niven is one of the authors who forever changed the way SF is perceived, one whose fiction emphasizes science without cutting short on any of the tools of your typical brilliant writer of fiction. This gives us well-sculpted characters, even in the shortest of stories, with eye-opening and theoretically sound scientific concepts, plot twists, and remarkable endings. Satisfying story after satisfying story.

What's unique about this collection isn't that it includes a foreward with comments by other authors and fans, or that the author comments on each piece within the collection. Those are commonplace. But in Niven's world, he likes to let you into his world in a special way, perhaps by dishing some dirt on an SF mag who rejected a story that turned out to win a Hugo, etc. He openly questions his finished product, saying that "Today I'd write this story differently," etc. As if we could lift the lid on his cranium and step inside for a moment, seeing how the stories are crafted. Very interesting.

Not as interesting as the work, however, another unique thing about this collection: Not only short stories are collected here, many of which only appeared in one issue of some now-defunct SF mag or other, dating back to the mid 1960s upward to 1990 when this book was first published. He also includes essays, such as an unforgettable commentary on the problems Superman would have if he tried to mate with Lois Lane, as well as excerpts from his published novels at the time. A terrific sampler of a terrific author, whose early-70s work "Ringworld" stands as one of the most brilliant works of speculative fiction of all time. Intelligentsia still debates the validity of its scientific assumptions, and while even Niven admits that most of these have been disproven, how many SF works do you know that sparked so much debate while still being so widely admired?

Niven is far, far beyond any alien shoot-em-up author. This ain't "Star Trek." This is real scientific fiction told by a natural storyteller who loves what he does. We readers love him for it.

I am a lapsed Niven fan having discovered him in the late '70s as a kid. Something spurred me to buy N-Space as a way to rediscover what I cherished about his unique mix of hard sci-fi and realistic human emotion.
Thank goodness! When I was done I had to immediately start picking up where I left off with "The Mote in God's Eye" and I look forward to re-reading treasures like "Footfall." Perhaps I'll just start at the beginning and work my way up? :)

What can I say? Max Lucado is a gifted writer who takes spiritual concepts and puts them into understandable and easy-to-grasp stories illustrations.

Max Lucado is a premier story teller. The message that Christ knows how we humans feel and that he is close enough to call on whenever we need him is uplifting and comforting.

i haven't read max lucado books in awhile and I have read quite some of them. I have to say that this is one of his best written. The chapters are short but they are meaningful, each one of them that applies to different people.

This a great book. I love the way Max writes. It's very unique and refreshing. He really brings the stories to life.

This is my first Max Lucado book and I loved it! It took me a while to read it because I don't read that often but something made me keep coming back to try and finish it. He made everything so simple and easy to understand. The real life examples were great! I would recommend it to anyone!

I used this text in the 80's as an undergrad in Brazil, and am now a chemistry professor. Although my research is in computational chemistry, and organic chemistry seems a lot like fantasy to me, I still love Morrison and Boyd's textbook. I remember my experience with it, and my awe in finding that someone could actually put a textbook together that was enjoyable to be read, and easy to understand - and mind you, I was not fluent in English back then. I have just recently realized that all my organic texts have been "borrowed" by students, and that I should really get Morrison's. And this time make sure nobody will take it out of my office. If you want to learn organic chemistry with no struggle, this is the book.

it is a great textbook for those who need organic chem. i am a chemical engineering undergraduate and the way the book is set up in problems and exercises is also great. after every section a question , that may seem difficult at first, is really a restatement of that section. but don't get it twisted into thinking that it is a pick up and go book. the solutions manual is a must if you want to fully grasp an understanding for this difficult subject. i also got a copy of the wade series to complement the book when i wasn't sure of the full chemical reactions that took place but overall, it's a great book to use.

Due its ambitious purposes and powerful transcendence, the whole understanding of this fundamental branch of the Science seems to be in an authentic crescendo day after day.

This book illustrates and clarifies such just a few, the most relevant aspects of this dynamic and expansive scientific discipline.

Recommended for students and teachers of Chemistry, Chemistry Engineers and Bio analysts.

O.K. Let's face it: what could be more boring than Organic Chemistry - right? WRONG! Morrison and Boyd's Organic Chemistry takes the pallid and dry subject of Organic Chemistry and imbues it with a vitality and interest that will stupefy you. Trust me, you cannot begin to fathom how effective this book is at making its subject interesting and more importantly understandable. The authors are brilliant at introducing a complex and arcane topic, incrementally building slowly and confidently a framework of knowledge and information that nearly makes, of all things, intuitive sense when they are through.

Every educator should study Morrison and Boyd in an attempt to appreciate how it works its magic. I can say without reservation, this is the text book against which all others should be measured. You will not be disappointed.

I used this book as a supplement for Ege's organic book. It helped me do well in my class and prepared me for the chemistry GRE. This book is older but well worth the cost. I think it should be on any chemists' shelf of literature. The reactions it tells you are easy to understand and the mechanisms make sense. The only problem I would have is the spec. section for infared is a little weak. But it does everything else well so it makes up for it. Buy this Book for undergraduate study you won't be disappointed!

Kathryn Mackel invites us into a post-modern future where the future of mankind is bleak at best. The land has been ravaged by nuclear war and deadly toxins have made much of Earth uninhabitable. Evil men hold seats of power and they have perverted God's creation through DNA manipulation, a process known as transmogrification. Innocent men, women, and children are continually taken captive and subjected to these horrific tests and experiments. Man has forsaken his Creator, and evil ravishes the land. However, there is hope.

A remnant of believers has built a modern day ark that is hides beneath the polar ice caps. They teach and train their children in the ways of the Lord, with the hope that they can impact the world above. As the children mature they are sent to the surface to live as Outriders and Trackers. Their mission is to scout the land and teach a lost world a message of hope it so desperately needs. Can they make a difference before mankind is truly lost?

This is a wonderful fantasy series that is chocked full of action, suspense, and heart. Mackel gives us a frightening glimpse into the future of mankind that is both original and eye-opening. The story seems to wander a bit at times, but overall the plot development is cohesive and effective. Mackel's strength is in the action sequences which are thrilling and full of excitement. Violence and gore are effectively used to draw readers into the heart of the battles. The heroes of this story are teens and young adults who have nothing to rely on but their training and a deep faith in God. Their faith is inspiring and encouraging as time and time again they trust in God, no matter how difficult the task.

This series is highly recommended for fans of fantasy and science fiction. Much of this material is intense and intended for mature readers, but it is appropriate for older teens. The lessons of strong faith and discipleship found in this series are worthwhile for adults and teenagers alike. (From Christian Library Journal)

This is the first of Kathryn Mackel's books I have read, and I am impressed with her imagination. She creates a world that is intriguing and shows definite parallels with a creation fallen from its original beauty due to the curse of sin. She also shows the hope of restoration of the creation by the valiant acts of Christians.

In Outriders, the world has been devastated by a war in which most technology has been destroyed. Bands of warriors called Traxx roam the countryside. To populate their army, they capture the few remaining humans, and through genetic engineering, they turn the humans into grotesque monsters. However, a remnant of humans escaped and has been kept safe in an underwater ark. Little by little, these people, called birthrighters, are released back onto the earth and commissioned to help establish an outpost of humane civilization in this barren world. These birthrighters must battle the warriors of Traxx while they rely in their faith in God. There are clear spiritual overtones in this battle of good and evil, and the use of genetic engineering is ripped from today's headlines. The Birthrighter characters are developed well, and they are shown to have their own internal struggles in fighting against their own selfish desires, while they are fighting the Traxx. There is quite a bit of striking imagery, including an archway of thorns that protects the stronghold of the Traxx warriors.

I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series, Trackers

Awesome read I can't wait to read the next one!!!

You're going to be disappointed if you read the first 2 books in this series. You might notice that I gave both of these books 5 star ratings and wonder why I'd say this. Well, WestBow Press, at the time I write this, has elected to not publish the 3rd and final book in this series. You're going to be disappointed in the light that Outriders and Trackers are so good that you'll feel a certain emptiness knowing that book 3 is unlikely (not impossible) to be forthcoming.

I love the post apocalyptic sub-genre of mainstream science fiction as well as Christian science fiction in general and this series falls into both of those categories. It exceeded my expectations in terms of plot and character development to the extent that I've actually caught myself daydreaming about the story. Off hand I can only recall a couple of stories that have had that effect on me, "The Stand" by Steven King, and "The Time Machine" by H. G. Wells. "Outriders" and "Trackers" are definitely well worth reading even knowing that the story may never be finished.

This was overall a very enjoyable read, but there were a few points that keep me from fully enjoying the story despite several interesting characters and an interesting world.

First, much of this 'new' world revolves around genetic manipulation and mutation, but the author seems to know very little about the subject even though it's foundational to her version of the future. In the story, _adult_ humans are routinely made into monstrous beings by unknowledgeable men using a seemingly inexhaustible supply of 'potions.' These potions were found in destroyed labs long ago and are really ancient cell-lines. Somehow, despite storage in primitive conditions and at least a hundred years passing, they still work perfectly. Not only that, but they can conveniently be administered by drinking the potion or by putting it under the skin with needles. If you don't give a fig about the scientific impossibility of that premise, you should have no problem.

Second, a big deal is made about how dangerous this world is and how the rooks wouldn't stand a chance on their own for several days (which brings up the question of how all of the first-evers survived for so long). The rooks are saved from death several times by Niki, they are shown as initially overwhelmed by this wide expanse of world, and they supposedly think highly of Niki and the other first-evers. These rooks are supposedly the top of their class and devoted to God, though only Cooper shows a hint of this being true. With all that being true, I had a hard time understanding why all three rooks totally disobeyed Niki's orders right from the start. Yes, Niki was a bit harsh at times, but they deserved worse for their constant disobedience since it was risking all their lives.

It is also established that everyone at Horesh is fairly used to following Brady's crazy battle plans and that they always work. Yet, at the end, suddenly _everybody_ from Horesh starts to disobey his commands during a rather lopsided battle. I kept wondering why everyone started disobeying him now (much to their harm) when they had been obedient for years and knew how important it was for them to do so in order to succeed. It is never explained, nor is punishment ever handed out.

All that said, the book is better than I just made it sound. The above are really minor points, though the story would have been stronger if it had addressed them.

After seeing the History Channel special on Wake Island, I just had to have more, and this book fit the bill. The Alamo of the Pacific, how true that was. Well researched and written, and a nice hefty work to boot. It is hard to believe that you can find them for under $1. Be sure and go for the hardback edition, as you'll want this one to be a keeper.

How often do you read a history book that's so engrossing you hate to set it down? Only as an exception, and this book is exceptional. The background is so well established that you'll feel like an island resident yourself by the time that first wave of bombers hit. The occasional humor further lends itself to making the book multi-dimensional and realizing the normality of the civilians and servicemen who became Wake heroes. I was also touched by some attention being paid to what a person's first taste of combat is like. 'It's okay to shoot at these guys, right? To actually try and kill them, right?'

It's just an amazing account. Read it - you'll think you lived through the whole thing.

To put it simply, Pacific Alamo: The Battle for Wake Island by John Wukovits is an excellent addition to any library. This well written book is thoroughly researched and filled with first hand accounts of this struggle during the opening days of the war in the pacific.

After the successful Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor and the Philippines the American people were in shock. Much of the American Pacific fleet was damaged or resting on the bottom at Pearl. Macarthur's command in the Philippines was in retreat and Pacific skies were dominated by pilots of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Armies and Navies of the United States and Great Britain, were being driven back by what was considered by many, an invincible war machine. The Japanese were riding a wave of victories and America was preparing for the possible invasion of Hawaii or the west coast, with little left to defend either. Moral was low and the American people needed hope.

Wake Island, a tiny atoll half way between Japan and Hawaii, unprepared and manned by civilian contractors and a small force of marine, navy, and army personnel was about to enter the annals of history

I thoroughly enjoyed John Wukovits publication concerning the battle for Wake Island and the post battle information concerning the soldiers and civilians on Wake. One of the best insights into the conflict focused on the propaganda variable used by the United States to rally a nation. Another important trait is the focus on excellent and exciting detail concerning the battles on the island.

The Admiral who left these guys to surrender really did the military a diservice and I felt like a U.S. reinforcement and resupply would have ultimately held off the Japanese. The courage of those who fought at Wake is definitely captured by the author in "The Battle for Wake Island." The Marines and naval aviators were defenitely inspiring with their heroic defense.

It was also an interesting study of life in the prison camps, with wonderful first hand accounts. The Marines in the Pacific accomplished some heroic feats and it all started at Wake Island. If you decide to read this book you will be blessed to learn about some great American heroes. The civilian factor on the island and some of their heroic feats also adds more interest into this incredible account of combat and survival. The book also does a good job in telling the story of the Japanese as conquerers and then being conquered by a mightier moral/military allied nation.

An excellent and recent recounting of the struggles faced by a hopefully never forgotten saga in both American and Marine Corps history.
John Wukovits provides the reader with an assembly of perspectives from the defenders on Wake, the American WWII home front, and the Japanese attackers stitched together with the recent (2002) accounts of the surviving defenders themselves.
Wukovits `s addition to the Wake Island literary anthology is a gripping study of the atoll's most historic moments. The story follows selected men, not just Marines, from their stateside civilian lives to their enlistments or private construction contract jobs on Wake.
Every tale of Wukovits's interviewees will hopefully make the reader value the many freedoms we take for granted.
The book is a fair and noble salute to the men, all the men, who faced off with the Imperial Japanese Navy to lift the United States out of its Pearl Harbor gloom.
REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ-AUTHORS DESERVE YOUR OPINIONS TOO!

"Patriot Dreams" is the most gripping true story I have ever read, and I am a voracious reader. From the opening page, you will vicariously enter the inner world of Robin Higgins, and experience the tragic death of a true American hero.

Rich Higgins was a Marine lieutenant-colonel who saw himself as a peacekeeper and a protector of the nation he loved. His duties in Lebanon required him to be unarmed, and he accepted those conditions as part of the job.

Unfortunately, the Hezbollah did not respect his show of good faith. What happened to Rich and his ever-faithful wife, Robin, will give you the deepest understanding of the contemporary Middle East and the ineffectiveness of our government in protecting its citizens in that area.

"Patriot Dreams" is written with an understated passion that sweeps the reader along; I was unable to put the book down until I finished the last word.

Robin Higgins is an extraordinarly powerful writer. Her work combines the best features of a novel with a strong dose of reality therapy. You will be both wiser and better informed as a result of this read.

The author was a student at North Shore High School when I taught there, and I can, without qualification, vouch for her good character and loyalty. When she introduced me to her husband, Rich Higgins in 1982, he was a major, and she was a captain. You would, as I did, recognize that he was a product of the best of our culture--strong but humane, highly intelligent without conceit, loyal without fanaticism.

Rich Higgins will be mourned, but he must never be forgotten.

Let me be clear: by guts and loyalty, I mean Robin Higgins. I do *not* mean the leaders who, incredibly, abandoned her husband in his captivity.

_Patriot Dreams_ is LTC Robin Higgins' story of the way she kept two oaths that she never imagined would be brought into conflict: her duty to her husband and her oath as an officer. What stands out about the book is the composure with which she writes about the topic, which gives voice to her determined but very mature and dignified efforts to obtain her husband's (an unarmed UN peacekeeper) release from brutal captivity. It's very likely to push the reader's buttons, not by design but by the nature of the topic, but you'll very likely come away with great respect for Robin Higgins. I did.

Worth reading for anyone wishing to pay respect to two fine Colonels of Marines, for starters. It would also appeal to those who enjoy reading about true commitment in marriage. One other group, in my view, should give it a read: those who still maintain that women should be barred from combat military roles. I'm not taking a position on that topic here, but I do encourage this: if you feel that way, then read Robin Higgins' book, and then ask yourself if you'd want to be the one to tell her--and others of her calibre--she wasn't up to combat leadership, or for that matter if we can afford to exclude her brand of guts and loyalty from leadership in battle.

One of the great privileges of my life was getting to know Rich and Robin Higgins when Rich was attending the National War College in the mid 1980s. Robin tells the story of their life together and the great tragedy of Rich's capture and assassination. What is equally powerful is how well Robin outlines the lessons learned. This book deserves a wide readership by those interested in the future of this country and the challenges we will face world-wide.

An easy to read book that captures the integrity of a military officer whose last tour of duty was to serve his country as a peacekeeper. He never made it home. The book, written by his wife, details the frustrations, the red tape and the longings of the heart, all of which become intertwined in her efforts to bring him home. Beautifully written.

I remember reading about the murder of Col. Higgens and thinking at the time how awful and what risks the military took when they served in foreign countries. And, not to mention, how unappreciated they are. And, those who served or serve, can't depend on the support of those who sent them if something goes wrong. Patriot Dreams is a must read book. In fact, if the active military of all the services had any sense, they would jump all over Patriot Dreams for the families and make it standard reading; unfortunately, those in charge rarely see the obvious. Military families sacrifice in enormous ways and I often wonder why they choose to do it. And, Colonel Higgens is an example of what happens when a military man leaves for work in the morning and does not return. Soldiers, wives and families understand this but few in the civilian populace do. This is a wonderful book. Colonel Higgens himself is quite the inspiration. Then Lieutenant Higgins served in Vietnam in 1968 with C Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines as a rifle platoon platoon leader. This was a hard time in Vietnam and fighting was fierce as this was the year of the infamous TET offensive. Colonel Higgens was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat 'V' for heroism. It probably should have been much higher. I give him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Captain Higgins returned to Vietnam in 1972 as an Infantry Battalion Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps and then as a rifle company commander with B Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. By anyone's standards, Rich Higgens is a hero. Equally as important is the incredible devotion that his wife Robin had to him, both in life and in death. She did as a minimum double duty as a wife and fellow Marine. Wow! Semper Fi! This is a book that tells about it, the bureaucracy, the stupidity of government bureaurcrats, and the feelings of abandonment of good men. Every Vietnam vet can empathize with her. Many who gave their all to the country, to include their families, have experienced the feelings created by the government of having been used up and then tossed aside. Don't miss this reading and if you know someone in the military, get Patriot Dreams to them.

God, I loved this book! At times fascinating (why is pork eschewed rather than chewed by millions of muslims and jews?), funny (the stuffing of sausage), and evocative (virtually every description of a meal well set), I was enthralled by this most excellent jaunt through the porcine world. Kaminsky pulls off a difficult balance: making us admire and care for the pigs even as we long to eat them as soon as we can apply some of the author's recipes. He makes a valid argument that we must eat them in order to save them, offers a call to arms to take back pork production from the industrial torture chambers that pass as 'agriculture' and return to a more humane and respectful treatment of this remarkable animal.

I am a lover of all pork products. This book presents the history of pigs, ham, and how it has evolved to what we know today. The author has an entertaining style, and his love of ham shines through. I was moved to buy a Kentucky Country Ham, just after I had finished the first third of the book. My knowledge on the history, raising, breeding, and processing of hogs has increased dramatically from this book. An interesting look into the present and future of pigs is given. This brings back memories of Fast Food Nation, and its description of the cattle industry.

real informative book on how to raise a pig the old and real way.raising world class hams

This book is brilliant. The author keeps the readers engaged from cover to cover. It is definitely a book for foodies, particularly those of us who are obsessed with pork, but it would be an entertaining read for most anyone.

Most ham is the U.S. is barely edible. There are exceptional country hams put up in the South, but these are seldom available to the casual shopper. If you do love ham, you just have to try the Pure Bellota Iberian ham from Spain.

Now what this book does is illustrate, educate, and sharpen you taste buds for the incredible delight of eating great ham. There are taste matches made by the Creator: Iberian Pure Bellota ham with an ice-cold glass of Fino Sherry is one of them.

Very good layout and pictures of final product. The book doesn't have thin paper pages like the others, but rather thick semi-gloss paper that you can easily wipe off if you spill something on it.

The item was delivered in a timely manner. It was purchased as a gift, therefore I am unable to give a review on the book itself.

This book is fabulous! A must have for anybody who loves to eat and cook pizza! The recipes are easy to follow and the pictures make your mouth water. There are many unique pizza's that look fun to try as well as your basic pizza. The dough recipes are exceptional.

This cookbook is made well. It has thick pages and colorful pictures. The recipes all look delicious and have ingredients that are readily available at the market.

First of all, this book is fantastic. Follow the recipes because a lot of effort went into them.
I have the habit of doing things my own way, but not this time and the results were great.
This book got me started on a wonderful path to making excellent pizzas.

I saw Tony tossing pizza on the Food Network a couple of weeks back and was very impressed by his record holding techniques. There was a part of the competition where only limited ingredients could be used and Tony mentioned the use of Caputo flour. I went to Amazon and punched in for Caputo and here was this book and I found out that Tony co-wrote it with Diane Morgan no less.

I supplied my kitchen with the necessary tools and ingredients to attempt to make New York style pizza dough.
The steps for making the dough were right-on and I allowed it to rise overnight in the fridge. My wife and I made the New York-Style Pizza sauce and also Ray's Pesto sauce while the dough came up to room temp.
The oven was heated for an hour ( with a stone inside) and then I put the toppings on and it turned out excellent!!
My wife and I knocked out three pizzas last Sunday and they all turned out great!
Now we are going to try some different flours (Caputo) and move on through the recipes in this book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in making pizzas at home even if you are interested in only a couple of types.
The introduction to each chapter is entertaining and informative.
Thanks again to Tony and Diane for teaming up to write such a wonderful book.
I know from recent experience that they are both very nice people and I look forward to heading up to Northern Ca. to stop by Pyzano's to maybe see Tony in action and to eat some great pizza.