O Books

This book meant a lot to me because my mother died from ephysema 17 years ago at the age of 50 (she had smoked 3 packs a day for many years). Mr. Bryson's story is within the realm of possibilty - knowing how the Tobacco Industry tends to operate (I think it's gutsy of him to "attack" them.) Another commendable thing I noticed is that he didn't use one swear word in the entire book. That's rare in today's society. In my opinion, authors shouldn't use profanity as a crutch! The story was thrilling without being gory. I very much look forward to reading his next novel.

A Trace of Smoke is a rather provocative story. It stirs your intellect, kinda keeps you on the edge of your seat. Yes, it is a mystery, a stirring one. All in all, it is a very good story.

A TRACE OF SMOKE was fabulous! I stayed awake until almost two a.m. so that I could finish it. I didn't want to put it down. I have not read such a good mystery since THE DaVINCI CODE by Dan Brown. Finding a well-written book nowadays is difficult. They seem to be written so simply, and many are full of vulgarity and graphic violence. I am ready for the next book.

I really appreciated the colorful descriptions of the Smokies and the surrounding areas, as well as the true-to-life pictures you painted of the mountain people. Grandmother Dare made me think of my own family, especially my Granny (Mama's mother). As I read about Barbara's childhood, I thought of my own, growing up in the woods, climbing trees and building straw houses, feeding mud pies to my brother... so many fun memories.

I called Dad this morning and told him how much I enjoyed the book. He is anxious to read it.

Nicole Rodriguez, Dance Instructor

Dalton, Georgia

This is a start to finish thriller with just the proper tone to convey the action and the locale. Let's hope this is just a "first" novel!

I didn't start reading until shortly before my 65th birthday. That was sixteen months ago and since then I have read sixty-one (61) books - most of them by the heavyweights (Stephen King, Ken Follett, Dean Koontz, Jonathan Kellerman, James Patterson, John Sanford, Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child, Lisa Scottoline, the Left Behind Series, all of John Grisham's, and more). "A Trace of Smoke" is by far the most enjoyable book I've read so far. I can hardly wait for his next one. A couple more like this and this author will knock the big guns right off their perches.

I looked all over for a kids book about Henry Thoreau to use with my 3rd and 4th graders. They really enjoyed this story! I highly recommend it.

Wonderful book, my adult friends loved it as much as the children. Thoreau was cool 150 years ago and knew then what ignorant people like GW Bush will never know. This book should be read by everyone!!!

This is a beautifully illustrated and clever fictionalized account of Henry David Thoreau as a man who turns out not to be so foolish as his townsfolk think. His neighbors in Concord think he's crazy for not wanting what they want: more money, more property, more industry, more things. Their incredulity is heightened when he decides to live out by himself in a small cabin on the banks of Walden Pond. As told in this story, the townspeople and especially the mayor are threatened by this challenge to their lifestyle and decide to try and kick him out by enlisting a toothpick manufacturer to come in and cut down the trees in Walden woods. He changes their mind by telling his story -- or, as the authors suggest: by bringing his townspeople out of their cloistered lives and into the woods for an afternoon.

Of course this isn't exactly what happened -- there were some industries in the area but logging had been taking place in the Walden woods for a long time before Thoreau got there, and while some of the townsfolk thought Thoreau was crazy, none of them were threatened by his lifestyle and none tried to threaten him. Still, the essence of the story rings true, and the authors use of poetic license serves to indicate how much of a contrast there was between Thoreau's convictions and lifestyle and those of most around him. A very nice story, that would serve as an excellent brief introduction to the life of Thoreau for newcomers of all ages.

One minor caveat on the otherwise excellent illustrations: Thoreau is here depicted as tall and lanky, something like Lincoln, when in fact by all accounts he was short and lean but built.

"The Trouble with Henry" provides children with an accessible classic story expressing the trials and tribulations of individuality and fostering sensitivity to the environment.

What a refreshing story! My daughter and I loved it. From the beginning to the end, children (and adults alike) will be caught up in the wonderful imagery created and clever "sounding" words chosen by its author. By celebrating the spirit of the individual and appreciating the simplicity and beauty of nature, children are introduced to Thoreau in a delightful and marvelously illustrated way. The Trouble with Henry is bound to be a favorite, especially among younger readers.

What a wonderful story Dr.Asagba had told.The stories in the book speaks powerfully to us today about war,human rights,religious freedom and the devastation of oil exploitation in Nigeria oil states.And a fascinating story about how Sir.Ralph Moor,a British colonist succeded in turning public opinion against slavery and in making it illegal in Nigeria in 1901.

Victor Vann.

l have just finished reading The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family and this is a fascinating account of a royal family stories and events that will blow a readers mind.Not since Alex Haleys novel and roots was released years ago that another interesting book about the slave trade and slavery now come along.This is a history on a high scale,crucial to the story as it was to history is a child born to the daughter of Orholor,an African Chief and was revealed to have been fathered by Akeh a slave who was a favored member of the chief's household.The slave was burned alive by the chief for impregnating his daughter Princess Umerikube.This child was named Abeke by the chief and grows up in the royal household but was considered a son of a slave.What is remarkable about Dr.Asagba's undertaking is that this book is about a journey of discovery and a never-before told story of how Africans treated thier slaves during the slavery era.This is a very powerful and honest story and a must read book.

This book The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family is not only a comprehensive history of an African royal family as told by a modern-day prince,but an exciting story of a revolution that led to the assassination of Esezi l who was a dictator that ruled Okpe Kingdom from 1770 untill his death in 1779.The book also covered the slave trade and slavery by Aficans,and of the political intrigue of an ancient Urhobo kingdom of Okpe. At the end of the book, contemporary issues such as the Nigeria oil policy toward the oil state citizens which includes the Okpe people and the muslim-christian strife,and human rights abuses are addressed.As terrorism faces us today, this book presents a wealth of information on religious freedom and how the christians are killed by the muslim extremists in the predominantly muslim northern states of Nigeria for spreading christianity in that part of the region.And how the muslims are allowed to worship freely in Urhobo kingdom of Okpe.This book is very entertaining and enlightening on many of the topics and issues.A well documented history and powerfully written.

The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family is a book that describes the slave trade,slavery and wars in a royal kingdom of Africa.The author Dr. Asagba describes the war battle between two powerful African Chiefs Ojegba of Urhobo-Okpe and Olomu of ltsekiri in 1870 in regard to slave raiding in the Urhobo hinterland.And how Ojegba raided Olomu's trading canoes and freed the slaves.The author has written a remarkable history of his family that will takes the readers on a journey of a very rich Africa's past.This book is an essential reading for anyone also seeking insight into the early 20th century democratic system of government by an African monarch and the wonderful work and duty of HRM Esezi ll for his remarkable character and courage toward a constitutional monarchy of Okpe Kingdom.And the Untold stories of the royal members who were feminists that campaigned for womens rights to participate in the all-male council of Elders.The book also covered a brief history of the Nigerian civil war of 1967-70 and how the war caused postponement of the successor to the Okpe king HRM Esezi ll.A very rich book on the slave trade,slavery,wars and freedom in an African Kingdom of Okpe.

l have read this book and the story in it is a fascinating one.The author describes the beginning of his family remarkable journey by tracing his family back to the 1500 when the founding father prince lgboze,the son of the Oba[king] of Benin empire left the empire and founded his own kingdom.And lgboze had a son Okpe and his descendants are the kingmakers and ruling clans of the kingdom.The author had brought to light a very compelling Untold story of an African royal family role in the slave trade and as slave masters.Dr.Asagba describes how the slaves were used as soldiers and as plantation workers during the slavery era.He also uncovers and describes the Life and Times of Obodosike a slave once owned by his great-greatgrand father Chief Asagba and his treatment as a slave in the family.What began as a family history has become a history of an entire long,dark era.The Untold Story of a Nigerian Royal Family is a colorful non-fiction historical book and briliantly written.

This book is very good, I have recomended Child of the Wolves (also by Elizabeth Hall) to my friend and she found out this other book in the libaray. She read it in a concert, (nauty nauty) but it was truely very good. It's the way Elizabeth Hall makes you think you are a part of the book or how she can express an animal's feelings.

GOOD, NO GREAT BOOK!

As a young child, I fell in love with the vivid images in this book, the bright colors of the undersea world between the pages. For children, 'Venus' offers a look at another world, with different values, morals, and priorities. Now, years later, I still have it, and still enjoy going back and reading it. I highly suggest this, especially for children who show even a slight interest in dolphins, or the ocean in general.

This book i found at a local book store and read it. It is my favorite book i have every read. It is so well written and a good plot. The resion I am on amazon.com and on this books page is to buy it hardcover and add it to me favorite book library. If you are thinking about buying this book buy it.

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THE BEST BOOK REVIEW

Killer whales trap a herd of dolphins. They send two young dolphins to get help. They get trapped at a Sea World place and meet some friends.
I liked this book because it is exciting and you don�t know what will happen next. The characters were fun, protective, and brave. I liked all them. The setting was great. It was in an ocean where colorful reefs and fish live. It was easy to read and it was good. My rating for this book is four stars.

As a second grade teacher I am always looking for books to read to my class that can help them relate to the subject I am currently teaching. When looking for a book to read during our ocean unit I came across Venus Among the Fishes. My kids love it. When I stop reading for the day they beg me to continue. I warn the kids that several parts are sad and often I find my kids crying along with me. I have recommended this book to several co-workers and they have all thanked me.

Book arrived quickly and in shape described. I am very satisfied with the seller. Thanks.

I am thoroughly enjoying this whole series by the Thoene's. It keeps me interested and I can't put the book down until I have finished it - usually over a period of days. I enjoy historical novels especially with a Christian background. The suspense of what the Nazi's will do next, the close escape of the heroes and heroines keep me glued to the pages. The authors catchy theme of their books is "Truth Through Fiction" - it's very true.

I just finished reading "Warsaw Requiem", the last book in the "Zion Covenant" series. It was wonderful, as are all the books in that series. The characters in the book will always be a part of my life.

I totally got absorbed in this book....trying to imagine what it would have been like living in the Jewish sector of Warsaw, waking up to bombs dropping and fighter planes zeroing in on children going to school!

This is one book in a series of 9, called the Zion Covenant. I am on Book #8 and my husband is a book behind me. We cannot quit reading them! A wonderful series on Jews, many Christians, trying to get away from Hitler in WW2. Your faith in the power of prayer is totally reinforced in these books. You see God's hand throughout....

Well, I'm a 16 years old girl from Norway. The reson why I read this book is because in my class we had to read a book and afterwords we had to write a review of it. So, I went down to the school library, there I took the first book I could find... But I have to say that this book was great! It shows how the jews lived and felt it during the second world war, and I have learnd so much from it! I highly recomand this book for all ages, but it requires that you know something about 2. wordwar...

My biggest challenge was getting everyone to buy into optimization. I solved this problem by requiring everyone from development, design, customer support, and management to read Andrew King's book, "Website Optimization: Speed, Search Engine & Conversion Rate Secrets." My advice is read Chapter 10 first. Chapter 10 of Andrew King's book explains why you should include these changes in your original design the first time, which then allows for the marketing team to start using Google's Web site Optimizer to test new ideas and theories.

I think everyone will have the same response after reading this book: the excitement of possibilities! The book explains why optimization is not hocus-pocus created by the marketing team.

Years ago an optimized website loaded quickly and worked on most browsers: today optimization includes a site's ability to attract, interact with and persuade customers. Any collection strong in web authorizing and design needs Andrew B. King's WEBSITE OPTIMIZATION, a key to all the elements that differentiate a superior website to a less effectual one. From strategies and techniques to maximize leads and sales to tuning performance with Ajax and other add-ons, WEBSITE OPTIMIZATION is key for any working to enhance web functioning.

First off, if you are a developer like me this book is not about the type of optimization that comes to mind when looking at the title (at least not fully). While Website Optimization does cover the technical details of optimization such as making full use of CSS, making efficient use of Javascript, and implementing AJAX wisely. It also covers the search engine marketing side of optimization. This includes the how to get your site to rank higher, how to plan and run a pay per click marketing campaign, and how to increase the percentage of clicks that turn into purchases. I see applicability for this section of the book beyond commercial websites. Open source projects or informational websites can use the techniques to increase their visibility.

The book is well researched with many footnotes, charts, and illustrative case studies that demonstrate the techniques presented. The case studies follow the chapters that introduce a given marketing technique. The provides a concrete example that helps solidify the understanding of the material previously presented.

The final chapter ties together the marketing and the technical with ways to measure how well you are doing at your optimizations efforts. If you are serious about improving your website from a marketing or a technical perspective this book gives you the tools you need to do so. The rest is up to you.

It's kind of a catch 22. You can write the best web copy but if your website loads slowly no one will stick around to read it. But how can you make your site stand out, while keeping the loading times reasonable?

Fortunately, Website Optimizing shows the average person how they can have full website optimization. Now you don't have to make a choice. You can have a quick loading website that looks professional and still create great web copy that demands attention.

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by Website Optimizing. I expected it to be heavy on optimizing code and graphics. I never really expected this book to discuss web copy. Putting the two types of information together makes perfect sense.

This book does more than talk about the basics of SEO. It dives into topics that go well beyond the `technical' aspects (e.g., keywords, titles, etc) and talks about persuasive language, fast load times and engaging websites. Once I saw this, I was very intrigued and told Andy that I'd be happy to review the book.

I'm glad I said yes. The book is excellent...and from what I've seen, it is THE book on Website Optimization. Gone are the days of scouring the web for bits and pieces of info on how to optimize....this book contains it all.

Unlike most other books in this genre, this book is much more than just an overview of the concepts of website optimization. Detailed descriptions, case studies and in-depth discussions of the `why, what and how' of optimization are provided to allow the reader to immediately take action with their own websites.

For those of you interested in the entire spectrum of website optimization (i.e., page load times, search engine friendliness, optimization techniques etc), this is the book for you. I expect that this book will be THE website optimization book for years to come.

"What Goes Around" starts off fast-paced and absorbing, and ends with a bang! David O'Neal's first book of power, love and war in this progressive series of four, won't disappoint. An action novel that also delves into relevant social and ethical issues, O'Neal uses his experience as an ex-marine to create this tightly-written drama about how an ordinary man can get caught up in circumstances beyond his control. The decisions that the protagonist, Doug Carlson, uses to cope with Mob aggression and control in the gambling lifestyle of Nevada are colored by writer O'Neal's unique insights into the warrior mentality from his military service in the Vietnam jungles. This series, which includes "The Pact With Bruno," "Choosing to Kill," and "Fool Me Twice," illustrates how possibly this "jungle" could inadvertently creep into our own backyards. I read all four novels back-to-back, and found them hard to put down. Very good reads!

Great plot, interesting characters, and a fascinating perspective on American life--then and now. The then, for O'Neal, is the Vietnam war. Now is the culture of contemporary California and Nevada--rich, violent, out of control. Battles with the Mob in the present alternate with intense flashbacks to combat, surfacing the confusion, grief, and rage, as well as the skills needed to overcome the guerilla attacks by made guys and their henchmen. It's jarheads vs The Sopranos, and the Marine Corps wins--by a whisker.

Slip into the realm of the Mafia as Doug Carlson begins his journey and pulls you along with him each step of the way. Feel the suspense, the thrill, the anticipation, the emotions, as they are written by David O'Neal in a compelling, can't put down novel. It is a novel you will remember forever.

Doug Carlson could be Mr. Everyman before his bump with a mob leader. Mr. O'Neal leads us on a deadly rollercoaster ride which transforms his character from a peaceful citizen to a deadly adversary. I can't wait for another installment of Doug C.

I read Dave O'Neal's second book, "The Pact With Bruno," first. Now I know why some reviewers are calling him the next Elmore Leonard. But you must read "What Goes Around," to know what makes Doug Carlson tick. The night has eyes. And O'Neal's books would make great movies.

This book is an extremely informative analysis of genesis, and its role in our current culture on many levels. I enjoy and appreciate this authors educational experience and cultural veiws. Anyone who has read this authors analysis may also enjoy "After the Apple", which is another one of Rosenblatt's writings.

Naomi is a psychotherapist, lecturer, and adult bible class teacher.

A unique study of the old testament teachings to help with our personal spiritual journey. How we should live our lives according to God. How we can shape the way we live and teach or children through the Patriarchs. The book starts with the creation; the order. Then moves to the flood and the descendants; from Abraham to Joseph. Beautifully written. Will never be dated.

Wish you well
Scott

this is my second reading of wresting w/angels. i recommend it to those people who are curious about the biblical text and have never actually read it themselves. or to those who are familiar and well-versed w/the biblical text but are searching for new and fresh insights to be learned and discovered.

Wrestling With Angels: What the First Family of Genesis Teaches Us About Our Spiritual Identity, Sexuality, and Personal Relationships (Naomi Rosenblatt and Joshua Horwitz, Delacorte, 1995) is a book with a specific agenda: understanding Genesis as a series of lessons about the nature of human character. Her voice (it's largely hers; Horwitz is not much in direct evidence) is that of the therapist. The themes are as old as guilt and sibling rivalry and sexual temptation, and as "modern" as midlife crisis, blended families and surrogate parentage. We are comfortable with these psychological concepts, and Rosenblatt is generally successful at using these as tools to understand these stories --- and ourselves.
The subtitle's "Family" is a misnomer; it should be "Families". It covers people from Adam to Noah to Joseph, and they aren't considered one family in the normal sense. The chapter on the Tower of Babel doesn't involve any particular people.
There are 35 self-contained chapters. The titles set the theme: "Rachel and Leah: Competing for Love, Passion and Status", "The Brothers Reappear: Wrestling with Unresolved pain", "Abraham goes forth: Following a Personal Vision". She starts with a broad introduction to the theme, then sets the stage for the particular story. The story is presented via selected excerpts from Genesis. Interspersed are her comments and "imagined narrative details". Of these she says, "Our Embellishments to the original text of these stories are historically correct" whatever that means. It's unclear whether she's relying on traditional midrash or her own. Then she provides her summary, analysis and conclusions, sometimes including anecdotes from her own life.
The book displays both substantial weaknesses and strengths. On the minus side, the allegories and symbols are laid on rather thickly. For example, on page 267, there is entitled "The Well as the Portal of the Soul." But on 268, we are instead told that it is the stone (which covered the well) that is "the portal of her [Rachel's] ... soul." Further, we are told that "The well represents Rachel's virgin sexuality" and in the next sentence "the well is symbolic of Jacob's unconscious". In her discussion of the Covenant Between the Pieces, admittedly a very murky event, I found her symbolic explanation of the items unconvincing, and note that she omits any explanation of the smoking oven. Some things really are a stretch. One chapter is "Lot Departs the Clan: Letting Go of Children", but she presents no reasoning that Abram ever considered his nephew as a son. Putting the modern motherhood/career dilemma into Rachel/Leah story was unconvincing. None of the treatments are in any great depth, and the nuances of the Bible's language in telling these stories is entirely lost.
On the other hand, her handling of conflicts within the (extended) family is especially deft, and she turns to this, effectively, again and again. She had a particularly good feel for the character of Jacob, and her chapter on his wrestling with the "Personal Angels and Demons" was especially well done. She has an intriguing comparison between Noah and Oscar Schindler; I wish it had been more developed.
Her writing is clear and the almost conversational style easily draws the reader in, without wasting words. While many can learn from this, the book is especially good for beginners. It does not presuppose any knowledge of either the Bible or how it is approached, and makes no demands of a particular kind of faith. And it provides fresh evidence of why these stories are so enduring.

I was brought up as a Roman Catholic with biblical teachings emphasizing the New Testament and very little of the Old Testament. Wrestling w/Angels re-introduced me to the wise ancient stories of Genesis, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Not only is this book a great read, it is full of insights illuminating conflicts and challenges we continue to face in contemporary life. Whether or not you believe in the historical accuracy of the Bible, the people who are chronicled in its stories are important archetypes whose influence on our collective thought patterns is vast. Wrestling w/Angels is a key guide to understanding the meaning of those archetypes because they show us how we, as individuals and as a world, have developed our "identity, sexuality and personal relationships."

I just finished it and cried throughout the book. I have been to one baseball game in 63 years, and only know the names of a few baseball greats, yet I loved this story. I have searched the internet. Can't find Elgin Woodell. I even went on ebay to see if I could locate one of his baseball cards. No Elgin Woodell. You know your great at writing when you convince your readers that a character in one of your novels is real. That's right, go ahead and laugh.

The first two-thirds of this book were wonderful, but there wasn't enough conflict and suspense and as the end approached there was nothing to resolve. The book ended in a straight, predictable, and grossly sensational fashion that left me feeling cheated.

The author let me down on this one.

This was a fun book to read since it reminded me of some of the fun of being a kid playing ball. This book is about a 10-yr. old boy named Elgin and his love for baseball as well as his relationship with his parents who are divorced. His dad, who used to play ball, is in prison. Elgin has great talent and is so good at hitting that he is kicked out of little league because he's too good so he gets to play in higher leagues even though he's just a kid.

Another aspect of this book is to practice correctly and keep at it. Elgin practiced all the time! He played fastpitch in the alley or practiced with a pitching machine in the basement that he adjusted to throw really fast. Anyone interested in little league or baseball would probably like this book. I enjoyed it very much!

Karen Arlettaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"

When you finish this book, you'll be searching the Internet to find out if the Youngest Hero was a real person, it's so real. The perfect book for young and old men that love the game of baseball. The author allows you to get into the thoughts of the characters and you become a part of their life. It's the best there ever was. If you like this one, check out author John R. Tunis for other real sports books you can't wait to pick up again to finish.

This book was excellent. I loved every single minute of it. Even though I am not a big sports fan, this book was engrossing with it's facinating detail to the game of baseball. It gave me a new appreciation of sports, and what it means to the people involved in it. The characters were precious, and I truly felt like I knew them. Several days later, I still remember them well. THAT's the sign of a great book!

My daughter was given this for Christmas last year and we love it. We have lots to see!!

My seven-year-old and I are both pleased with the ideas of things to do in this book. O'Sullivan has selected 101 outstanding ideas of places to go to enrich a child's (or adult's) life. From visiting a lighthouse, to checking out a forest canopy to eating at a quirky restaurant (such as South Carolina's South of the Border restaurant), they are all easy-to-do and worth doing, and they create experiences your child won't forget. The stickers are great fun--my son has already posted what he has accomplished already and is ready-to-go on the next adventure. A++++ book.

I bought this book so my 10 year old son and I could look through it for ideas on places to visit. It comes with stickers that you place on the pages - for example "Been There," "No Way," "Top 20," and "Awesome Adventure." We had such a fun time going through the book and remembering things we've done and talking about things we would like to do, for example visit a "Big Cave." The ideas are broad so you can find them in almost any area of the country, like "A Working Farm" or "The Home Your Parents Grew Up In" or a "Marvel of Engineering." I left a pretty poor review of "500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up," but this is exactly the type of book I was hoping to find. There are pages in the back for notes on your travels, and we plan to go back and write in where we visited. Very well done book, BRAVO!!

I bought this book for a 9 year old girl for Christmas. She LOVES it!!! She spent quite a bit of time looking at it and placing the included stickers on the places she wants to go. Then, she and her mother sat together and talked about places to visit. It was a great gift and I highly recommend this book!

This is a great book for a person of any age provided that they are interested in getting off the couch. This is the second time I have purchased this book but probably not the last. This purchase is for a Christmas gift for a nephew. The last purchase was for a birthday gift for a different nephew. I'm not sure if the recipients love it as much as I do. I wish someone had given me a book like this when I was younger. Two big thumbs up!