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Peter Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Peter
Alanna: The First Adventure (The Song of the Lioness)
Published in Hardcover by Peter Smith Publisher (1999-06)
Author: Tamora Pierce
List price: $20.50
New price: $20.50
Used price: $22.90

Average review score:

Books 1&2 are okay - beware 3&4
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-17
The first two books in this series are a good read for 6-9 graders (advertised for these grades) but the 3rd and 4th series have some serious moral issues for this group. Alanna sleeps with three different guys in the last two books. I don't want my 6th grader to read these.....

Modern Classic for Young Adult Fantasy Readers
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-20
A tale of growing up and acceptance with a strong female lead who shows, without being ultra feminist, that girls can accomplish anything that boys can.

A heroine that fails to disappoint.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-11
Admittedly a huge fan of the "women-warrior, disguised as a man" characters, I have been disappointed time and again by peoples take on them, but not this time. The take on magic, the involvement of the gods, and the world, which holds different morals, gave to a very interesting atmosphere for the books to be set in. Alanna is a character that I couldn't help cheering for, and identifying with.

Granted as others point out, this is very obviously a first novel that will kick-off a series. And while I did enjoy it, I do prefer to have series of novels have the ability to be stand-alones.

A terrific kick-off, to what I hope to be a wonderful series.

Read over and over and over...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-04
My Mom bought me the series 10 years ago when I was 13... Since then I have read them over and over and over... I find them impossible to tire of and once I start reading I don't want to put it back down... although by now I have half the books memorized.
I started reading these books when I was 13 years old and loved them... now at 23 years old- I still love to read this series.
The Immortals series is excellent as well.


Good read, too short.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-01
I did not realize when I bought these books that they were for young adults, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading about Alanna's adventures, friends and family. Alanna proved to the men again and again that "anything you can do I can do better". A great message to put out there for young girls. And even though it took me 1 day to read each book I just couldn't stop until I was done!

Peter
A Ring of Endless Light
Published in Hardcover by Peter Smith Pub Inc (2006-06-30)
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
List price: $21.75

Average review score:

A Ring of Endless Light
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-31
As always, Madeleine L'Engle delivers a stunning piece of fiction with `A Ring of Endless Light.' Although the main character, Vicky Austin, gives off a distinctive mary-sue air, the book (especially the guys!) are very enjoyable. Pieces of poetry found in this book are beautiful and elegant; they alone would be cause enough to read the book. `A Ring of Endless Light' also offers the reader an insight into the emotions and thoughts of a teenage girl in a fantastical setting. I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up. If you enjoyed this book, I would recommend Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume, Father Figure by Richard Peck and With You and Without You by Ann Martin as well as the rest of L'Engle's books.

From a teen reader
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11
A review from my teenage daughter:

"A Ring of Endless Light" is one of my favorite books!

I've read it five times since I first found it at the library last summer, and since then, I have also read "A Wrinkle in Time," "The Moon by Night,"and "An Acceptable Time".

What I really like about it is the characters. They are so interesting!

The movie, on the other hand, was nowhere near as good as the book. (Characters they left out: John, Leo, Grace, Binnie, Nancy Rodney, Jeb Nuttley, and probably somebody else, too...) And after I read the book, I was rather upset with the Disney Channel.

Although this is a wonderful novel, I would not recommend it to anyone under the age of thirteen because of some mature content.

Lastly, I want to include my frequent rant ( more of a whine, really) about that Zachary Gray person: I never understood why Ms. L'Engle kept putting him in her books. He never changes, and he's just as much of a jerk in "An Acceptable Time" as he was in this book. I don't know what Vicky sees in him. He kept saying that he "needed her" but she can't be his psychologist; Earth to Vicky, Earth to Vicky! Not a good reason to go out with him!

another favorite
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-13
Once again, Madeleine L'Engle has constructed a masterpiece. All her books are superb, but this one stands out to me as my absolute favorite. I understand its a Disney Channel movie now as well. I remember reading this book when I was about middle school aged and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I took notes. There are several wonderful quotes that are worth remembering, and I think by the end I was left with some 10 pages of notes. I was a bit of a nerd as a kid, I guess. Still have all the papers filed away somewhere. Also memorized one of the poems to recite in my english class in about 7th grade. Fantastic book. I need to read it again.

A Ring of Endless Light
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-20
In Madeline L'Enlgle's A Ring of Endless Light, 15-year old Vicky goes out to visit her sick grandfather to spend some time with him. During her stay, an old family friend, Commander Rodney, dies because he was trying to save another person from dying. On top of this, three young men are trying to get her adornment. Leo, Commander Rodney' son, is the nervous and puppy like young man who needs Vicky's attention. Although he may be nice, Vicky just wants to be his friend. Adam, a young man working at the marine biology center, confuses Vicky because he likes her, but pushes her away at the same time. Zachary, the rich, young man Commander Rodney died saving, wants Vicky back and claims that he needs her. Even though she has to deal with her love life, she has to help her grandfather, and other family members. During this vacation, she learns a lot about herself, death, life, her friends and family.

I really liked this book because it is very insightful. It gives me a lot of insight about living life. I want to live my lifelike Vicky and think like her because she lives her life to her fullest poetical and is moral, unlike me. She put phrases and lessons to heart and has a way of putting things into the right words. I liked how the author also wrote about death because I know that everyone is confused about tins subject. Some people firmly believe in one thing while other people are confused and wobbling. I remember what the Madeline L'engle writes about death whenever I come across one because her words sooth and help the soul.

I dislike the fact that the characters are a bit to perfect. The Austins are a bit like robots. There is the housewife mom that loves her husband and doesn't seem to have any arguments are all with him. The father is a strong man that supports his whole family. The oldest brother, like his father, is strong and smart. The youngest sister is beautiful and smart. The youngest brother is cute and innocent. Although Vicky seems more human than her family, she is still robotic. She always tries her hardest and it seems that everyone is drawn to her. Everyone trusts her with his or her secrets and everyone in the story has a longing to be with her. She is the person that people always want to be.

My favorite part of the book is hard to decide, but I think that my favorite part is when Vicky goes and visits the dolphins. I think that this is really interesting because Vicky learns that she can communicate with dolphins. In the beginning, she is really scared, but then she realizes that there is nothing to be afraid of. Soon, she feels comfortable with Basil. She can play with the dolphin and communicate freely. Even though people can't communicate with dolphins, Vicky can because her mind is somewhat childish, open, and free. I think that this is my favorite part because Vicky's relationship with Basil is much like my relationship with my friends. When I first made my friends, we were scared and shy, but once we knew each other, we had a lot of fun. When I am with my friends, I become childish, open and free, just like Vicky.

Loved It!!
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-29
I loved this book and I would recommend it to girls from the ages 10 and up. This was a good story to connect to your life or the lives of the people around you. The things that happen to Vicky in A Ring of Endless Light might happen or may have happened to the reader. Therefore the plot of the story is believable. I would like to read another story by this author because I loved how thorough she was when describing Vicky's thoughts and feelings. When she was explaining how Vicky was seeing only darkness after a friend died in her arms, she painted a very vivid picture in my head. I thought that a Ring of Endless Light was truly a great book.

Peter
The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread
Published in Hardcover by Ten Speed Press (2001-12)
Author: Peter Reinhart
List price: $35.00
New price: $21.94
Used price: $21.91

Average review score:

The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-16
I am taking an Artisan Bread baking course and this book is a great beginning for any novice bread baker. Peter Reinhart explains clearly about the how-to of bread making. The recipes and instructions are easy to understand and follow. Anyone using this book will never buy bread in a store or bakery again. There is nothing like the smell of freshly mixed yeast dough and the aromas in your kitchen once the bread comes out of the oven. There are also simple and delicious recipes for foccacia and pizza. So, get your kids involved as well.

Marvellous
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-27
This is a really good book makes it easy to create a great loaf and explains the methods really well

Really, quite good.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-07
I'm not going to make you read a tome just to find out what i think. This book has such a wealth of knowledge to help you improve your bread baking skills. The formula instructions are clear and easy to understand. The only drawbacks that this book brings are in it's quality of publishing. The book was published in China, it is hardcover but, the cover stock used is very weak and flexes under the weight of the book.

Just wanted to let you know that the quality of the information surpasses the quality of the book itself.

Actual Breads just ok
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-24
It would be nice if there were some points on what to do next time if your bread doesn't turn out as planned. All of my breads turned out much heavier than illustrated in diagrams. My Italian & Ciabatta breads were better but nothing like shown in the pictures (Those use 100% bread flour). The Ciabatta bread did not require a window pane test so I was hoping that would come out better, in case I wasn't really passing it, even though I thought I was.

The Lavash Crackers show different shades and textures. Mind came kind of the same except were the thinner parts were somewhat over done. In general it was too thick, bread like. I thought I rolled it out to more than 15" x 12" he called for but adjusted for the fact I held back more than half to try to make a pita, not sure what he mean't by "paper thin".

It is inspirational, if only my breads actually turned out better. I have cooked for awhile, but this is my first attempt at bread.

A classic must have if you want to be a truly great bread baker
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-09
First off, that scathing one star review..throw it away. The poster sounds like a person who failed baking school and works in a low quality/mass producing corporate bakery.

Now..for a review.

This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone who wishes to learn to make great bread. The author explains the process from start to finish with many great tips he learned from years of professional experience. He will show you the way to create bread so good, you will have people ask you what bakery you got it at.

I will say, however, that if you are looking for a book that is "bread making made easy!!", this is not it. The formulas take some time, attention and effort to accomplish; you have to put your time in. You will also have to learn the basics of bread making science-nothing too heavy but there will be a few concepts you have to learn.

If you like baking, get the book, hop in, and go for it!

Peter
Cosmos
Published in Hardcover by Peter Smith Publisher (1988-06)
Author: Carl Sagan
List price: $36.75
Used price: $33.56

Average review score:

This book should be required reading for anyone living on Earth.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-05
I cannot imagine reading this and not being moved. I cannot imagine reading this and not being blown away by the wonder of existence and the wonder of the universe as you do so. I cannot imagine reading this and not absolutely loving Carl Sagan by the time you reach the last page.

COSMOS is an amazing read. At times, it may feel a little densely packed, but that's only because its every single word is important, is loaded with meaning. In 13 gorgeously color-illustrated chapters, Sagan takes his readers on an absolutely amazing tour through the entire history and geography of the universe, with exciting stops along the way--in Earth's distant history, on Mars, in ancient Alexandria, to the edge of the universe, to the insides of the stars, and the insides of our minds.

Over and over again, reading this, my jaw dropped in awe and amazement. I found myself quoting passages of it to whoever I was near. I found myself with a pencil in hand, marking every other line.

The perspective that Sagan gives to our lives on Earth, the wonder he imbues the pursuit of knowledge with, and importance he conveys regarding humankind's role as Earth's most intelligent and potentially destructive species feels holy, and needed. The whole books feel that way.

What more can I say? I love this book. I wanted to hang up a framed picture of its author by the time I was done with it. I wanted to buy copies for everyone I know. I wanted to watch the DVDs of its companion series, and I still do--it's nice in that way, in that you can recommend it to anyone, as a book or as a show, even to people who don't like to read. If you buy the book though, be sure not to get the mass market paperback version, as that doesn't have all the illustrations. Get it in hardcover, as you'll almost certainly want to keep it for further re-reading, and for your collection.

A monumental achievement still relevant today
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-21
(Okay, I'm afraid this is more an essay than a review but I hope it's evident how this book and the views expressed are related.)

I remember the t.v. series from my childhood. It fascinated me then and I'd love to return to it someday. But I decided to go to the book first.

I got an original addition. No updates. I was worried that I'd slap my head a few times and think; Wow, THAT was off!

Nope. While the DATA may be out of date, the lessons taught in it were and still are spot on. Even the chapters focusing on the threat of nuclear war (say it with me: NOO-KLEE-ER) are still relevant because the driving force behind the arms race (to sum up; xenophobia) is unfortunately still so prevalent today.

People would rather shun/belittle/bully/kill those they don't understand or disagree with than live with them on this earth ... our Earth.

Sagan (as with MANY popular scientists) has drawn fire from religious groups due to his staunch atheism. Well, I'm not an atheist I find no threat it what he writes. Religion and spirituality in general came about to ease the minds of the general public concerning issues for which there was no understanding at the time. Science hadn't advanced enough to tell what was causing plagues or why the sun seemed to be eaten and gradually reappear every once in a while.

Now science can explain those things. Yes, there are questions it does not answer yet. Yes, there are probably questions it may NEVER answer. But questions of self-worth shouldn't come from science. Men and women around the world can decide for themselves what their "destiny" is and that personal voyage of self-discovery is the most spiritual activity one can participate in.

Science and spirituality (even religion) can coexist. Even the Dalai Lama conceded that if science should contradict the existence of reincarnation; "Tibetan Buddhism would have to change. But," he added, "you're going to find it pretty hard to disprove reincarnation..."

Thank you, sir, we'll see what we can do. :-)

I'll be very quick ...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-27
... as there is nothing else to add except that this book is THE BEST book I've ever read in my entire life. Carl Sagan is a GENIUS. His memory will live on forever through his books. He made me love astronomy so much I bought a telescope! :o)

Masterpiece
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-20
Carl Sagan's COSMOS is simply one of the best popular science books ever written. What sets this book apart from others on the subject is Sagan's poetic style and enthusiasm for the topic. By the way, the pictures in the hard-cover version are beautiful.

read what you can of it, but READ it!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-12
This is an incredible book, even if it is dated. I am a words person, not numbers, so when Sagan got into a lot of equations and chemistry, I had to kind of skim over those parts. I never could have understood them, and if I'd tried to force myself to, I probably would have gotten frustrated and gave up on the book. So I stuck with the parts (happily, that was most of it) I could absorb and easily understand. There were so many fascinating aspects to it that I would have missed had I given up over the math. This book is capable of starting you on a journey. It has made me find a book on Alexandria, which I am just starting. There is a fascinating history there, and I will continue on with books on da Vinci and Einstein. They are men I've heard about, of course, but never has my curiosity about them been so piqued. Being a book lover, the Library of Alexandria is something I want to learn more about. This book will make you want to learn more about a lot of things.

Peter
Mara Daughter of the Nile
Published in Hardcover by Peter Smith Publisher Inc (1991-09)
Author: Eloise Jarvis McGraw
List price: $16.50
Used price: $97.64
Collectible price: $79.00

Average review score:

Exciting read!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-17
I was actually taken back to the time of ancient Egypt! I shivered, got the chills, and laughed out loud at certain parts of the book. It is a REALLY good book. When I borrowed it from the library, I must of renewed it twice to keep it for 2 months! Excellent.

Good read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-08
Mara, a young slave girl in Pharaoh Hatshepsut's Egypt, is this center of this cute, fast-paced and worthwhile novel. Although this novel was meant for YA, it's very enjoyable for adults as well. Egypt comes alive as Mara navigates the intrigues of the royal palace, acting as interpreter due to her skill with languages. I won't give anymore away, but if you want a quick read, this will do nicely.

Who doesn't love this novel.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-05
Wow, I must've read this book a hundred times as a teenager. I still pull it off my shelf from time to time and read it again.

Great Book!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-26
I first read this book when I was eleven years old, and have loved it ever since. I cannot even count the number of times I have re-read it. It is excellently written with a deep plot, well-made characters, and an amazingly believable feel of the world of Ancient Egypt. Even if you are not a fan of ancient Egyptian books, you will soon become interested in the characters and before you know it, caught up in a whirl-wind of spies, secret plots, Pharaohs, and above all, the love story of two young Egyptians.

A childhood favorite
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-30
This was one book that I remember reading when I was in fourth grade. I bought this copy for my daughter, who is a total bookworm. If you are interested in Ancient Egypt, this book is wonderful.

Peter
How to Survive the Loss of a Love
Published in Unbound by Prelude Press (1991)
Authors: Ph.D Melba Colgrove, M.D. Harold H. Bloomfield, and Peter McWilliams
List price:
New price: $4.95
Used price: $4.33

Average review score:

Ending the journey which started from the loss of a love and returning to home and being whole again.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-31
This book was the grand finale to a long journey which started from the loss of a love. This book lead me back to home and being whole again.

I hope this book will help you in restoring yourself.

Thank you to each of the authors for writing this book.

Always keep reaching to become whole and staying whole in your life.

Thank you,
John Ellis

excellent book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-24
it is so real i felt i went through all this and really rewarded myself that i was able to overcome all what bad times i got through and can face any other pain easily and successfully

Outstanding
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-22
There are things in life that simply have to be experienced more than once: songs, movies, plays, favorite meals at favorite restaurants, etc. In my opinion, this book falls into that category. It has to be read slowly, pondered, felt. It is filled with insightful, moving and, above all, helpful thoughts for anyone who is in emotional pain. And it is not just about the loss a love, but touches upon loss, of all kinds, as one of those inescapable parts of life. You will not regret buying and reading it, even if you don't need it. Someday you will.

When you're still raw from loss, this book really helps
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-14
You know what its like after a loss.. you find yourself living second to second, minute to minute, hour by hour and it takes forever just to make it through!

How do you make it through the long dark seconds, night after night, day after day?!

Well this book is like a soothing balm for the soul. It wont solve your problems but it will hold you gently while you go through your pain. This book slowly brings you through the haziness of the thick, raw grief you are feeling.

Read as much as you need, when you need and it will help you find your path to healing.

When I broke up with my ex I felt like I was dying. This book helped me live through each second, then each minute, then each hour until I was able to see there were steps beyond the pain.

I hope this book helps you too.
xxx

it was okey
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-26
in this book you won't find any hard core advice on how to deal with the loss of love and it does not offer anything you haven't heard before or you haven't read on the internet or from a magazine. the advices are good, but they are very light and nothing new. it's easy to read and it's short. i finished reading the entire book in less than 3 hrs. the poems were very nice though but over all this book did not really help me.

Peter
Emperor Mage
Published in Hardcover by Peter Smith Pub Inc (2003-01-31)
Author: Tamora Pierce
List price: $20.50
New price: $20.50

Average review score:

Loved the book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-12
I got the book faster than anticipated. I also read the book faster than anticipated. Now I need to get the last book of the series. I can't believe how easy it is to read these books, and I mean that in a way that adults will enjoy it too. I would recommend ALL of Tamora Pierce's books for anyone, but especially for women and teen girls. It's full of strength and spirit for females without being abusive to males. Check it out!

This Book Rocked
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-07
I loved this book. I am hoping for a realtionship between Daine and the Numair. I loved the story line and the plot was quite interesting. I cant wait to read the fourth of this series.

Great!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-17
This book is no disappointment for anyone who likes Tamora Pierce's Tortall books. A great read. Recommended for anyone looking for adventure. This book, of course, is a sequel, and is well worth reading. Tamora Pierce does not disappoint with her intriguing plot, life-like characters, thrilling adventures. Brilliant cover art for this edition. As usual a wonderful installment in her Tortall adventures.

Ozorne's making trouble!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-31
Daine and her teacher Numair Salamin are sent to Carthak as part of the peace legion. But although Ozorne says that he didn't attack Tortall Daine can tell that he's up to something. She can feel it.

In this book Daine is captured by...sorry I won't tell you. Numair tries to save her and...another thing I won't say. Ozorne is growing powerful and Daine see's her power growing in strange ways. Are these powers good or bad?

While Daine is here she meets Kaddar the prince of Carthak and maybe, just maybe they can do something to stop the war and to defeat Ozorne...

Please read this book. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It has magic, fantasy, action, adventure and a touch of romance.

Dinos bent on Destruction
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-20
Ever wished you could trash an empiral palace using dinosaurs? Then this book is for you! Animal lovers unite to take out the bad guy.

Peter
Gift from the Sea: A Guided Journal (Bookbound, Wire-O, & Coptic Journals)
Published in Spiral-bound by Peter Pauper Press (2001-01)
Author: Anne Morrow Lindbergh
List price: $13.99
New price: $11.88
Used price: $11.88

Average review score:

Great book for women,s self discovery.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-03
Great short read. Ahead of its time given it was writtem in 1955. Great book for women to help understand there role in life, not so much for men.

A Joy Forever
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-08
What more can be said about this lovely collection of thoughts? Even as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is as fresh as the day it was penned. This book is a keeper if ever there was one, a volume to be read and re-read and handed down to one's children, which is what I intend to do with the most recent Gift from the Sea that I bought.

A Gift for Your Mom...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-08
Listed as a 'summer read' in a local magazine list - I hadn't heard of this book. I picked it up and finished it from one afternoon into the next morning. And -- there was nothing surprising or new to be found here in the book - the pace at which its written and the uncomplicated natural way Lindbergh examines her life and her impressions of life's stages will have me passing this book on to many people in my life.

A Few Shells
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-23
What timeless wisdom there is in this little book. Although it was written many decades ago, the challenges and issues faced by Anne Morrow Lindbergh are the same ones faced by women in today's crazy, bustling world. In fact, although women in Siberia, Cameroon, or Ceylon might not have her specific set of circumstances, they can still identify with Lindbergh's ponderings about a woman's life, her obligations, her relationships, and her needs. She lived in an upscale suburb of Connecticut and was the mother of five children, and yet there's something in her writing that can touch the souls of women everywhere whether in a grass hut or trailer beside a busy highway

The chapters in Gift from the Sea center on Lindbergh's musings during a two-week vacation at the shore. Leaving husband, children, and house behind, she lives in a bare beach cabin without heat, telephone, plumbing, hot water, rugs, or curtains. She finds simplicity beautiful and longs to take it home to Connecticut when her vacation ends.

Lindbergh takes a shell at a time and describes it in relation to other things in a woman's life. For instance, the moon shell reminds her that quiet time, solitude, contemplation, and "something of one's own" is needed. The double-sunrise represents the pure relationship found in early stages of friendship and marriage, and she reminds the reader that there is no permanent return to an old form of relationship since all are in the process of change. The oyster bed symbolizes the middle years of marriage and family, especially as the home itself grows and expands to accommodate the growing family.

I first read this book when I was a young mother and could readily understand Lindbergh's comment that saints were so rarely married woman because of the distractions inherent in raising children and running a house. "Human relationships with their myriad pulls--woman's normal occupations in general run counter to creative life, or contemplative life, or saintly life." Now in midlife, I can better understand her affinity for all the shells as reminders that each cycle of the wave, the tide, and the relationship is valid.

Hardly touching
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-19
This book came very highly recommended by two friends who are avid book readers. However I hate to admit that the book did not move me as much as my friends claimed that it moved them. I was more interested about the background references to the author's personal life and how the book came into being. That I would have read voraciously. The book is short but I don't intend to read it again to see what I missed. I believe a book either moves you or it doesn't. This particular book despite other rave reviews did not move me despite my great affinity for the sea and women writers. I wonder if perhaps if the book would have touched me differently if I read it in the beach rather than on a plane which I did.

Peter
Peter the Great
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Ballantine Books (1986-01-12)
Author: Robert K. Massie
List price: $8.99
New price: $4.60
Used price: $0.95
Collectible price: $11.99

Average review score:

Not only History - but a great Business Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-16
As noted in all previous reviews, this is a facinating book on Peter and Russian history.

However, it is a powerful book on organization skill. How do you bring in new cultures/learnings to an established environment. How do you manage your executives and the staff.

Was able to learn much.

There is much to digest, as it is long and has hundreds of characters. But a worthy work.

I regret that I am unable to find the NBC mini-series for purchase, As I have heard that it is just as well done.

The best history book ever
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-01
I teach history and have read a lot of books. This is the best history book I have ever read. Massie does such an amazing job at bringing the reading into the age. Peter was a fascinating man. Massie makes you understand what made him also great.

A masterpiece of Russian history
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-27
Massie's work of Russian history is one of the fines biographies I have ever read. It keeps interest start to finish. It never gets boring at all, and that is important since the book is over 800 pages! Massie delves into the experience that made the man who is Tsar Peter The Great, yet at no time does it ever let down. It is exciting, readable, and very human. I enjoy Massie's book, and I intend to read more of his works

A Detailed but Infinitely Readable Biography of a fascinating Man.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-21
In short, I am an amateur historian of Russian history and found this biography to be very detailed, thoroughly researched biograaphy while at the same time reading as a top notch novel. I can't recommend it more. If you are interested in the man, this transitional period in Russian history or are after a great read, you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

Massie's best book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-14
Massie's biography of Peter, the Czar of Russia is unquestionably author's best book.

For nearly quarter of a century Peter strode upon his nation like a colossus.Though tyrannical and cruel Peter unlike other Russian contemporaries was broad-minded and had progressive outlook toward life.Russian Czar was dynamic had unbridled curiosity and insatiable thirst for knowledge.

Old Muscovy state ,as author rightly puts it, was conservative,xenophobic rigidly adhering to antiquated ways.Interacting with foreigners in Muscovy's German suburb Peter realised how backward his nation really was.A fact which prompted him to undertake 'Great Embassy' to the West.Peter strove to modernise Russia particularly its armed forces incorporating latest in western technology.There was hardly a sphere of human endeavour in that nation which lay untouched by Peter's reforming zeal. Czar can rightly be dubbed the architect of modern Russia.

Czar's love for war,soldiering ,sea,ships,navigation lends colour to this biography.Big events of his life was Great northern War and founding of the city of St. Petersburg along the banks of river neva.In the former case, Peter wanted to make Russia a maritime power .this was not possible as long as Russia had no natural access to sea.In the south ,Tartars blocked Russia's route to sea and in the north Swedes controlled the Baltic coast.Peter's determination to break the stranglehold led to war with King Charles XII of Sweden.

The book is also a brilliant sweep of late 17th and early 18th century history.Author narrates Streltsy revolt which precede peter's accession to power,the reign of King Louis XIV of Bourbon dynasty,splendid court life of French nobility. Religious strife ,dynastic quarrels leading to wars of succession,rise of Holland, growth of Ottoman power and Glorious revolution in England.Hence I deem this book an essential reading for History buffs.

My only grudge is bibliography which looks inadequate considering the scale of research undertaken by the author for its production.Research notes not very impressive .However footnotes adequately compensates for this lacuna.

Book carries good quality maps especially on Battle of Poltava. Reader is easily able to follow the ebb and flow of the battle ; different manoeuvres practised by Swedish and Russian infantry and cavalry units.

On the whole,Massie has done an excellent job.

Peter
Someday
Published in Hardcover by Atheneum (2007-02-27)
Author: Alison McGhee
List price: $14.99
New price: $10.55
Used price: $9.44

Average review score:

Someday- brought tears to my eyes
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-11
I read this book for the first time to my 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter. By the time I was through I was in tears! It is so touching and true. A Mother's love is truly a gift, and this book portrayed it completely.

Amazon Bargain Book-warning
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-20
I purchased the "bargain book" version of this book for $6.79. I hoped to give it to a pregnant friend. Amazon does disclose that the book may have a sticker on the back stating that it is a bargain book, which I didn't mind (although it is not the kind of sticker that just peels off). Unfortunately I could not gift the book as it is defective; printed unside-down and backwards. The book as about 7" x 7" and about 1/3" thick, including the cover. Actually seems over-priced for a small book that's defective. I did give it 2 starts as it is a sweet story. I somewhat agree with the other reviewer, though, as it is sad at the end, in a bitter-sweet sort-of-way.

Very Sweet
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-22
This simple book is best read when you're feeling sentimental. The message will leave you teary-eyed. If you're not in the right mood, it will seem kinda sappy and even a little manipulative, at the end. No regrets buying it - I think it's very sweet, especially if you have a daughter.

A bit of a tear-jerker
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-21
Delightful story perfect for a Mom to give her daughter while she is pregnant. It reminded me of "I'll Love You Forever", but geared towards someone with a Baby girl.

Beautiful and simple
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-05
I bought this book on a whim while purchasing another book for my son. I am so glad that I did! I could barely finish reading, I was crying so much. My son was born a preemie at 24 weeks, and for the longest time, we didn't know if he would have a 'someday'. The only way I was able to survive the 3 1/2 months in NICU, was dreaming of my son's future. This book took all of my thoughts and hopes and put them on paper. The illustrations are breathtaking in their sweet simplicity.

I don't think this is book is just fot the mother/daughter relationsip. It is more for all mothers/fathers and their children. As a mother who intends to read books like 'Little Women' to mmy son, I am not bothered that it pictures a girl instead of a boy. The sentiment is the same. I wish I had found this book while DS was in the hospital. It would have been a wonderful addition to "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss.


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