Peter Books

Let's begin with a previous reviewers words (Nicolas Dubin): "I believe the greatest gift this book has to offer is that he teaches us strategies for letting go of our pain. That, in and of itself, is worth the price of the book."
This is an absolutely perfect summarization that demonstrates one element of the exceptional character of the author. Early on Carley states that diagnosis "provides the first realistic chance at a change for the better." He consistently backs this statement up throughout his narrative. The reader will gain greater insight and better understanding of the pains an individual on the spectrum endures. You will also obtain a wealth of knowledge specific to the characteristics of Asperger's syndrome as Carley shares his personal experiences and references the works of several other very qualified authors.
As intended, this work is ideal for adults on the spectrum. However, it would be equally beneficial to any individual who is a family member, friend, or has some association with an autistic person. This world is already a better place because of Michael John Carley.
From a dad with two children on the spectrum.

This book's primary audience is for adults living with Asperger's. In a field dominated by books on Asperger's and autism in children, it is often hard to find books that focus primarly on adult issues and concerns. If you buy only one book on the subject of diagnosis, coping and life with Asperger's, this is the book to get. Written by Carley, who was diagnosed with Asperger's as an adult, this book is like sitting down and chatting with a witty, intellegent friend who has experienced the ups and downs associated with knowing one is different, finally being diagnosed and living with the diagnosis. This well-written, readable book is filled with information, advice and most refreshing of all, an overall positive attitude about Asperger's. While the primary audience is adults with Asperger's this book is equally valuable for parents, family and friends of people with Asperger's. As someone living with Asperger's I can't recommend this book enough, it reflects my experience and is filled with practical insights and advice.

As the significant other, when I first realized my partner had Asperger Syndrome, I read all I could find on the subject. Sadly, not too much has been written on adults. At first I was happy to know that I wasn't going crazy. Then I was angry at feeling the loss of intimacy, the lack of communication, the stares of emptiness in a relationship we invested over 5 years in. And most books led me to believe that people with Asperger's had no emotion, therefore, how could I continue to stay in the relationship? Michael Carley's book, Asperger's from the Inside Out,
told a different story, one with hope. I finally understood my partner's strange behavior and what she was going through. I finally got out of myself long enough to see the other side of the coin, thanks to this book.

If I were to recommend one book to adults who have just received their initial diagnosis of Asperger's, it would be this one. There are a myriad of books written by adult self-advocates for an Asperger-Autistic audience and many of them are excellent, but Michael's is in my opinion the most comprehensive, accessible and the best. He covers almost every issue imaginable that our population faces and does it with authority and empathy. If you've ever wanted to look back on your life and make sense of it within an Asperger framework, this book will help you accomplish that. While Michael is extremely empathetic to our (people with Asperger's) hardships in life, I believe the greatest gift this book has to offer is that he teaches us strategies for letting go of our pain. That, in and of itself, is worth the price of the book, a hundredfold. Highly recommended!

This book is a rare gift for people with Asperger's Syndrome and for people who are NT.(Read the book to find out what that stands for.) It is a work devoted to tolerance and acceptance of self and others. While giving very helpful and concrete advice to people with AS, Carley's sense of humor, optimism, and honesty make the reader feel like celebrating our differences and ourselves. A must read for people with AS and everyone else. The book is educational and also a page turner; a rare combination! I loved it!

For anyone who has not had any kind of personal contact with Peter or Thomas Tangvald, I must start by explaining that they were/are truly extraordinary men and that this book is absolutely worth purchasing. They were the kind of people and lived the kind of lives that can shake you from your day-to-day slumber and acceptance and make you try and seize every element of vitality and wonder that you can.

Reading the two reviews below and the memories and images of Tom and Leeds University that they have conjured up, makes me feel a little wistful. And old. And reflective. But not in a bad way. I have just ordered this book and Penno and Blackie (as I remember you) you may or may not also know that there exists a previous book by Peter Tangvald as well, entitled Sea Gypsy (out of print and not currently listed on amazon).
I read both of these revelatory books in the third year, after late night chats with Tom about sailing, the stars, mushrooms, the mathematics of liquid dynamics, music, drawing, knots, boats etc. I wish that I was eloquent enough to describe the enormous range of ideas, inventions and the sheer original ways of seeing the world, that Tom had. One shouldn't forget that there was something of a dark side to his nature, as well.
When I last heard of his whereabouts, he had been on an island that forms part of Puerto Rico, for quite a while.
I would love to catch up with any of the Setonians from our year, and am still in infrequent contact with Jaime Sullivan, Dan Barton, Joel Lazarus, Dan Israel and Darren Kaye.
Not said it for years and it hasn't really applied to my lifestyle for quite a while, but I wonder if anyone remembers an oafish Mr Briggs roaring "Tutorials - Ringpiece, ***** Great".
Briggsy

Like my friends who also knew Peter's son, Thomas, at university, I feel very lucky to have had the enlightening experience of knowing Tom at least for a few years. It is obvious from reading their reviews of Per's book and their comments about Tom and what we knew of his life that he is an inspirational character.
From what I know of Tom, I think he'd find the fact that all these people had written about him vaguely bizarre - although to use a word like bizarre in this case is hardly appropriate. Normality and the challenging of social "norms" are, in a way, exactly what Peter, and Thomas, and indeed the wider sailing fratenrnity are all about.
Having met Tom at university (a time traditionally associated with breaking away from the norms) it was he, more than anyone or anything, who prompted me to look around me and try at least to experience the world in a different way. As far as Tom was concerned, right and wrong, real and imaginary, even up and down, were matters for debate and challenge. I tihnk this is because, as a community, sailors are not subject to the same, downward-grinding restrictive elements of modern, land-based society. The dislocation they experience allows for true objectivity to permeate their experiences and, therefore, for real progress to be made on the quest for truth.
I read Peter's books and also some other recommendations from Tom - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as well as some of the works of the Shamanistic Carlos Cantaneda are two in particular which would highlight the comments I've already made.
Some people would argue that, without a more solid frame of reference or grounding for one's beliefs and value systems (land based, profit centred society) the 'search for truth' is meaningless - after all, what is truth if you don't have a context for it? I would disagree. I think that courage, adventure and independence of thought are a prized asset nowadays and would love to be able to exercise them myself in greater measure, to experience the freedom of the sea-gypsy.
Anyway, my lunch hour is up now so it's back to tele marketing cold calls!!!

I cannot describe how thrilled I am to have arrived at the Amazon online reader review site. My name is Matthew Pennington, the book I was searching for is Peter Tangvald's "At any Cost" which I did read in a frantic fashion in 1994. I was not able to read at leisure since it was the only copy available and its owner "Thomas Tangvald" would be setting off on his modern day adventures within a week of my first page. Not only was I able to sit back and imagine the adventures of a certain Peter Tangvald but I was amongst few who could enjoy the stories told from experience by his son Thomas. I had never been inspired by the knowledge and approach to life by any other person to such an extent and doubt that I ever will again. It was a truly remarkable first year at Leeds University.
What a delight! A work lunchtime, during which I enquired via the Amazon web site with regard to the book, revealed that it was now available through this facility but also that my room mate of 1994/1995 had actually written a review on this site. Indeed, many mornings I would wake less than an arms length from Mark Blackburn in our twin room at the Bodington Hall of Residence to see Thomas walking past the window on stilts, climbing the 60 foot building in bare feet or playing his didgeridoo amongst other activities which other students could only mimic in an effort to appear different to the rest of society. Thomas really was different. He was and probably still is a one in a million "Geezer", friendly, understanding, incredibly clever but most of all eye opening in his "genuinely" unique charisma.

Since leaving University I have not seen or heard from Thomas or Mark Blackburn as both left with ambitions of travelling the world, Mark by plane and foot, Thomas by one man yacht. I did read an article in a National Newspaper which concerned Thomas leaving his yacht and swimming to shore through 15 foot waves during a storm in the River Humber. Believed dead, Thomas was later found by the coast guards to their amazement. Since then he has phoned my parents' house when he reported to my mother that he was in a phone box in the Isle of Man. I am quite sure that he will now be much further afield possibly the bahamas or other distant waters which he spent many hours recollecting tall stories to myself and Mark. I hope he is safe and that one day we will be able to meet again!

As for Mark, through Amazon I now hope to at least obtain an e-mail address and look forward to resuming a long lost friendship without the dirty socks and University studies!

Having shared student accommodation with Thomas Tangvald, son of the author, I was fortunate enough to read this book. Thomas studied Mathematics at Leeds University from 1994-1997. Living next door to him, I learnt lots about his life and I was able to read his copy of this epic book. Thomas was one of the most popular characters at University and was a genius. I lost contact 3 years ago but I have a feeling he might be with his guardians in Andorra. On the other hand, he may have ventured back to the seas. Who knows ?

Peter Tangvald was a man with great courage and a true seaman. I could not put "At any cost" down, and would wonder from chapter to chapter what Peters fate would be from port to port. He had much heartbreak in life loosing his wives and yet bringing up his children and putting their welfare first made you understand how all the women in his life must have seen the wonderful qualities in him, as a man as a father and husband. He definately was supplimented with his wives being very strong and determined women. It was shocking to learn that he and his daughter perished at sea and we will never know what or how it even happened. I am wondering how Thomas Tangvald survived and what he went on to do with his life and how it was he found his fathers writings. Did he ever see his step mother Florence and sister Carmen? It was wonderful that he did and a great tribute to his father to have them published.

My father-in-law received an advanced copy of Baghdad at Sunrise as a gift from the author. I began reading it with many questions about the handling of the Iraq War mixed with extreme respect for our nation's armed services. I am a lifetime civilian with very little exposure to military history and tactics, yet couldn't put the book down while learning a ton about what are servicemen and women have accomplished in their time in Iraq.

Col. Mansoor's book is a great mixture of military theory, Islamic history and cultural anthropology, all thrown into a personal account of his personal goals and associated challenges. I can't began to list off everything I learned and truthfully believe it would be great for everyone from military historians to those with no knowledge of military tactics and jargon (like yours truly).

On a separate note, I just finished two years of business school with a number of former officers who served in our nation's War on Terror. Reading this book left me with a clear picture of what life on the frontlines is really like, as well as a new appreciation for their hard work and sacrifice. I will hopefully be at the USMA in a few weeks to see a classmate and close friend of mine who is now a West Point professor. Although it may embarrass him in front of new colleagues, he will be getting a hug and a sincere 'thank you' from a friend whose freedom and safety he risked so much for.

Colonel Mansoor, thank you for such an enlightening read. My best for you and your family (Jana, the children and even the dogs) in the future.

I am an Army historian who has accessed many, if not most, of the existing (and they are relatively few) records pertaining to the Ready First Brigade Combat Team's operations in Iraq during the period discussed in this book. Therefore, I can set the "bar" a bit higher when it comes to informed analysis of the book's value. I am also acquainted with an extremely candid and capable senior non-commissioned officer from Colonel Mansoor's Brigade Reconnaissance Troop who interacted with the author on a daily basis during the 1st BCT's deployment in Iraq. If my friend did not believe that Colonel Mansoor was an effective combat leader, he would have told me so in no uncertain terms. Quite the contrary, Colonel Mansoor was a well-respected and credible leader who "figured out" what was happening long before other commanders.

All professional affilitations aside, this review represents my personal opinion. That said, I believe Colonel Mansoor has produced a forthright, factual, and valuable narrative of his experiences in the tumultuous months following the fall of Sadaam Hussein's regime in Iraq.

A respected historian prior to assuming brigade command, Colonel Mansoor took it upon himself to record each day's events in a notebook for posterity's sake. He does not rely solely on his memory, media reports, or the recollections of others. This fact alone sets his account apart from other OIF related personal accounts. His book is even more important given the relative lack of historical material, when compared to later OIF deployments, on the operations conducted by 1st Armored Division during the period 2003 - 2004.

If Mansoor has an unstated agenda, it is a subtle one focused on educating our nation's future political and military leadership. He is not trying to rehabilitate the public's perceptions of his actions in Iraq. Indeed, his candor and objectivity are very refreshing in comparison to other books covering that same period which I have recently read.

I have attempted to read many accounts of the war in Iraq, but most begin with either the agenda of criticism and blame, or cheer-leading. This account is a clinical, unvarnished report describes mistakes, dreadful decisions as well as extraordinary heroism and Sisyphean diligence. The adaptive insight and creativity of the troops "on the ground" is remarkable.
The breadth of Mansoor's experience, honesty, explanation and detail provides a glimpse into the complexity of Baghdad after the invasion.
This book should be required reading for all government officials, including the presidential candidates, regardless of opinion, political party or past positions on the reasons for the war.

Although it felt like it took me a long time to read this book, I realize looking back over the past eleven days, that this is not a book that can be rushed. I had a hard time figuring out exactly how to classify this book. It reads like a memoir, yet it also contains lessons in history, battle analysis, and diplomacy.

Because Peter R. Mansoor was a colonel, and the commander of a brigade, this book is written from a commander's point of view, and thus includes more of an overview of how things come together in battle. He writes about policy, placement of forces, troop morale, and dealing with local leaders.

Other Iraq war stories that I have read (such as A Fist in the Hornet's Nest by Richard Engel, and The Devil's Sandbox by John R. Bruning) have been written about the common soldier in the heat of battle. This book, though still compelling, is quite different.

I think a lot of the difference comes from the fact that Colonel Mansoor has a graduate degree in military history from Ohio State University, and taught history at West Point. Woven into his recollections of his year in Iraq is an overview of the history of Iraq and the conflict between Sunni and Shi'ite Islam.

To date, of all the military books I have read, this book contains the most thorough treatment of the military issues in Iraq, and I found Colonel Mansoor's ideas for dealing with the insurgency to be quite enlightening.

Overall I thought this book contained excellent information, and if you have any interest in military policy in Iraq or military history I would highly recommend it.

Awesome book by an excellent Commander. Ready 6 takes the reader in a journey through the BCT's intense and extended deployment to Baghdad during the crawling stages of the war (2003-2004). The historical facts in this book help you understand the complexity of the situation, both leaders and Soldiers were faced with on a daily basis. His detailed narrative portrays without a doubt, the BCT's combat and civil operations. Colonel Mansoor also addresses full spectrum operations and the reorganization of the armed forces to better suit its current and future counterinsurgency operations abroad. As an OIF veteran and a proud member of this fine Brigade Combat Team during this and its subsequent deployment (2006-2007), I recommend this book, especially to fellow veterans and deployed service members.

T.H. Berrios
SFC, USA
Provider One November (2003-2007)

I feel like I could start any review for a Diane Stanley biography like this: ________ is the perfect introduction for any child interested in learning about ___________! That said...

Bard of Avon is an excellent introduction to the biography of William Shakespeare. It gives you basic facts without getting too involved in theory. My favorite new fact is a list of words Shakespeare invented by writing them into his plays. In addition to "eyeball," which I already knew, he also made up: majestic, countless, hint, hurry, reliance, leapfrog, gust, excellent, and gloomy. Awesome! Diane Stanley hits it out of the park every time, truly. I'm a huge fan.

Stanley does a masterful job of bringing Shakespeare to life in this short biography. Full of wit, the workings of the theater and a few of the details behind some of Shakespeare's more popular works, older children will greatly enjoy this book. A must-have for homeschoolers beginning a study of the Bard of Avon!

Our family has recently discovered the wonderful Peter Vennema/Diane Stanley biographies. They are vivid, engaging, and thorough, yet short enough for younger readers to sit through (my daughters are 4 and 6). Bard of Avon and Good Queen Bess are our favorites so far, and they go very well together since neither Shakespeare nor Queen Elizabeth would have been the same without the other. Unlike other histories or biographies for children, this book makes a destinction between what we know about Shakespeare's life and times and what are only guesses. It is nice for children to see that the study of history is not just memorizing facts and dates, but piecing together clues in the context of what is known about a time period. As a former high school English teacher, I wish that I had had this book when I was teaching Shakespeare plays because it would have been a wonderful introduction.

This author was new to us and we will be looking for her from now on. The pictures are sooo wonderful they transport you. The information is well done and clear, yet not watered done. This is someone that REALLY understands writing books for children that adults can enjoy using as teachers or parents. I recently bought alot of books on Shakespeare, for use in the school room this year and we have found 4 authors that made the grade on this subject! This is a keeper!

Stanley is a masterful writer/illustrator when it comes to creating longer picturebook biographies (with heavier text). Her bios on da Vinci, Cleopatra and Shakespeare are fabulous. It amazes me that she has not won a Caldecott Honor yet! I can't wait to see her bio about Michelangelo!

As Peter Kreeft himself says, some of his simplest works are is most favored. This is one of them. Some of the most simple things in life can have the greatest affect on how well our life is. This book provokes thought on things that are often overlooked. I love Peter Kreeft's philiosophy and so far this is my favorite of his books. It deserves careful and thoughtful reading.

In 162 short letters to his adult children he summarizes what he would like them to be sure of, to realize, to do, and to love. The idea is nice. Kreeft puts all his intensity and devotion in his letters as he does with all his books.

The only minus I would give in this case is that it is too vague, too general in scope. I guess that is the nature of advice, otherwise it would need a full book to explain why this advice is given, why so important. Then this is not the kind of literature that appeals to me most. But for ole time Kreeft readers it won't disappoint.

Peter Kreeft is an outstanding philosophy professor at Boston College who has written over 40 books, most of which are excellent. Professor Kreeft is similar to G K Chesterton and C S Lewis in that he is a Christian philosopher who writes very clear and profound books that are full of wisdom.

BEFORE I GO consists 162 life lessons that Kreeft has learned, and each lesson is covered in 1 to 3 pages. Lesson 6, "The Most Important Person" is a hierarchy of what a person's priorities in life should be, with God first, one's spouse second, one's children third and so on. Lesson 9 is a succinct description of "What is a Good Person?"

Lesson 48 has a funny litmus test on how to tell if a book is a great book; funny because it rings true. And Lesson 51 has a poignant lesson learned too late from the poet Thomas Carlyle. Kreeft's advice on how to keep marriages intact in Lesson 87 is short, sweet and dead-on-target.

"Before I Go" is short - it took only about 3 hours to read - and full of wisdom. This is indeed a great book in that it gives cogent guidance on the good, the beautiful and the true. Were Socrates to read this book, he would realize that he had finally found that wise man that Socrates sought in ancient Greece but never found. This is Kreeft's 2nd best book - exceeded only by his outstanding HANDBOOK OF CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS - and I give it my highest recommendation.

I liked the readable format in which to share some universal "words of wisdom" with my children. Perhaps reading them in another person's time & space will reinforce the significance for all.

Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for Reader Views (12/07)

Having sat with several people as they draw close to the end of their life, I have noticed that many find themselves frustrated by the short time they have to say the final, important things to their loved ones. Peter Kreeft has taken a preemptive strike at that moment for his family by writing this short, readably warm book, "Before I Go: Letters to Our Children about What Really Matters." Kreeft states that this book is simply a "word-insurance policy. It is a way of speaking even after you are dead" (4). And he has written it for his grown children against the day that he may no longer be able to say what he deems are the important things, before he goes.

The short chapters are normally succinct, lasting anywhere from three sentences to three pages, but the depth of insight vastly surpasses the amount if ink and paper. For example, in one short chapter, he poignantly reveals the two categories into which people generally fall, "There are only two kinds of people: sinners, who think they're saints, and saints, who know they're sinners. There are only fools, who think they're wise, and the wise, who know they're fools" (51). It becomes clear as one reads further into this book that the writer is skilled at writing and at writing in a memorable fashion. I found myself struggling to put the book aside, because each chapter enticed me to jump to the next.

Kreeft teaches philosophy at Boston College, which shines through in several chapters, particularly in the superb craftsmanship with which he is able to hone an idea down to its primary point, like the following; "Worship God, love people, and respect stuff" (54). He is also a loyal Roman Catholic, and that similarly comes through clear and without apology all over this book. Neither of these facts detracts from the book, but is the reservoir from which he is able to dish out his nourishing and healthful comments.

The realism with which Kreeft sees the world, and with which he writes, is a two edged sword. Because of the down-to-earth way he airs his thoughts, he will be easily grasped, and heartily appreciated, by the simplest readers: "We strut and fret and preen and pose, but only God can make a rose" (86). But his earthy approach might also catch some completely off guard, especially as he uses expletives on occasion. Yet these are never gratuitous, but serve to drive home a valuable, salient point.

Reading "Before I Go" will be a pure pleasure for the thoughtfully reflective, and a valuable gift for many parents to use in passing on wise words to their children before they lose the ability to say those final, important words.

I just finished this book in the last couple of days. Excellent all the way through. Carefully crafted examples of what was right and WRONG with the media coverage of the Tet 68 Offensive during the Vietnam war, and the war overall, show the problems with the reporting: in some glaring cases, the bias. I specifically could relate to recent conflicts the comments made about the speed of a story from the start of an event to publication and how that sometimes led to the wrong analysis and conclusion.
The perceptions set forth by the media, either deliberately or by editing mistakes, to the population were in cases wrong and led people in a path to make decisions based on faulty information. For a long time I wondered if my opinions and own analysis of the Vietnam conflict were ill conceived. This book put those concerns in their proper place: even though it was a terrible event, maybe the US could have been done with it sooner and with a better result for all had the true facts, as the media could gather, come to light for the general population instead of an inherently flawed approach with a lot of bias added.
Given that the book was written by a Journalist in the middle of it all gives great validity to the book: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Peter Braestup's book on the reporting of the Tet Offensive is a critically important book to read for those trying to understand the effect of reporters' all-too-human bias on what information the average citizen has available to him or her, as well as for those looking to find out not only what went wrong in Vietnam, but what the United States and its allies (including South Vietnam) did right - an aspect still all too overlooked.
Though it is critical of some particular newspeople, as well as some politicians and military spokemen of the Vietnam era, the book is highly constructive in tone. Many of the lessons pointed out by Braestrup two decades ago have clearly been taken by the media, judging by the general improvement in war reporting during the current (as of fall, 2001) events in Afghanistan.
It is also a must read for those who question the abilities of democratic states to defend what they believe in.Braestrup lays bare the notions of the time that the allied forces - from ARVN to the U.S. Marines, were not effective, or that they were a corrupt force for undesirable ends.
An added bonus is that Braestrup is a gifted writer; his prose is readable and engaging, and his research is thorough and well documented. This book deserves to be brought out in a new edition (though I did buy mine through the Amazon's used book marketplace, and received excellent service there).

How could LBJ forget the blunders of a limited war established by the mistakes of Harry Truman in Korea in less than 12 years? The author outlines all of the questions that cannot be easily answered. How do you end a war once it started? How do you justify the costs in blood and money? And How do you define victory? The writer seems to say, Limited War is like Marriage, easy to get into and hard to exit. The book will enlighten every reader and all American politician responsible for foreign policy should read it. A Superb book for students, professors and men and women in power so it won't happen again.

A thorough critique of the press coverage of the Tet Offensive. Amazingly, the press almost universally got it wrong. The U.S. and the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) actually won the battle; the Viet Cong were decimated and never recovered as a fighting force (The regular North Vietnamese Army shouldered the major fighting from then on). It took the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) four years to build up enough strength for another major offensive (1972), which led to the Christmas bombings of Hanoi and the "peace accords."

Written by a journalist, this book is critical but not ideological; the press is not "the bad guy" here. There is plenty of blame to go around. The military misrepresented the strength of the Viet Cong, for its own reasons, and the press went on to misrepresent the battle for its own reasons. The real heresy of this book is revealing how the ARVN and U.S. forces aquitted themselves exceedingly well on the battlefield. Was the war "winnable" on the ground? It certainly wasn't "winnable" politically, but credit should be given to the servicepeople on the ground (and in the air) who did in fact win the battle tactically and strategically.

The original edition was published by Westview Press in 1977; Yale University Press issued an abidged version in 1983 and 1986; another edition was published by Presidio Press in 1994.

This book was a real eye-opener for me. As a Vietnam veteran who served in Vietnam in 1967-68-69-70 and 71, I had always held fast to the premise that media coverage of Tet 68 sabotaged the possible successful conclusion of the Vietnam war in our favour. I had always believed that the american press had deliberately skewed their war coverage towards the negative side.

Braestrup's well documented study of press coverage of the Tet 68 offensive made me re-think all my knee jerk attitudes towards the press.

He presents meticulous summaries of coverage by the major american newspapers and television networks. While some individual papers and networks might have had an anti-war bias most tried to give balanced coverage.

When Braestrup gets into the logistical details of the in media coverage of the war, he really enlightens us. It's easy in hindsight to assume that todays wall to wall coverage of world news was the norm in Vietnam. Braestrup shows us in great detail the limitations in personnel and technology that constrained media coverage of the Vietnam war

If you read his analysis, compiled from his own in-country experience with an in depth analysis of most major news outlets reporting from Vietnam during the war, you as a reader are enlightened and forced to rethink your own pre-conceived notions about the subject.

I found this work one of the most illuminating works of modern history that I have even read.

It's interesting just from Braestrups first hand retelling of his own part in history as a practicing journaslist. His analysis of journalistic coverage of the Vietnam War is incredibly stimulating and educational.

I highly recommend this work to war correspondents, editors and journalism students interested in getting war coverage just right.

John Reid

Two boys cross Peking to fly a kite... and end up crossing Mongolia with some very interesting characters. I love the book, my husband loves the book, and no child I've given it to has been able to put it down -- nor have their parents when they finally get their hands on it.

The perfect adventure story, more fantastic than fantasy and truer than history, with wonderful, understated pen and ink drawings and maps. Details and characters from the author's years in China and Mongolia put the reader right into the place and time. I live for the day when broadband comes to my area, so I can follow the boys' adventures with Google Earth.

This is a book for a lifetime of rereading, whether the first reading is as a child or a grandparent. It reads wonderfully out loud. The boys are 12 and 12 is probably a good age at which to read it for the first time -- but much younger children should love to have it read to them.

A teriffic children's novel set in 1922, about 2 boys, one European and the other Chinese, who travel across Mongolia during a civil war; based on the stories of Muhlenweg's experiences which he recounted for his own children; and I agree with completely with the other two reviews! Glossary.

I've been looking for this book for 15 years and hopefully just found it. I assume it was originally intended as a children's story, but the story is so subtle, and the characters so captivating, that I have no hesitation in recommending it to a general audience. Christian, a missionary's son, and his friend Big Tiger skip school to fly their kites near one of Peking's main gates. Since there isn't enough wind to do the kites justice they accept a ride from a trainful of soldiers. Unfortunately there is a problem getting off... and before they know it, Big Tiger and Christian find themselves trekking through 1930s (?) Mongolia, encountering nomads, lamas, bandits, princes, and scoundrels, digging for buried treasure, picking up Mongolian customs, and learning the wonderful comfort that comes with the phrase "It can't be helped". If you've got a copy keep [a] good hold of it, is my advice.

I read this as a child and it has stayed with me these many years since, along with a feel for the area and a fascination for the deserts of Central Asia and Mongolia. Rereading it as an adult, it is just as engaging. A marvelous story, well told, it provides a real sense of "place." Years after reading it, when I finally came upon pictures of the people and the area in another context, they all looked EXACTLY as I had imagined they would.

I read "Big Tiger and Christian" when I was in my early teens, and I have never forgotten it. It is an exciting and unusual adventure story about two friends, a German boy and a Chinese, who live in Peking and get caught up in a civil war and are forced to flee across the Gobi. When I found a battered copy in a second hand bookshop in New Zealand about fifteen years ago, I was overjoyed. Even though it was years since I had read the book, I had never fogotten the evocative Mongolian word "Yabonah! (Let's go!).
The book left me with a life-long interest in the Orient in general and Mongolia in particular. I only recently did something I should have done years ago, and made an Internet search to find out more about Fritz Muhlenweg. I was surprised to read that he was on one of Sven Hedin's Central Asian expeditions and that he made two further trips to Mongolia prior to WWII and mastered the language. That certainly goes to explain the authenticity which is obvious on every page. What a remarkable man he must have been. Even though he lived in Hitler's Germany, it is obvious that Muhlenweg was no Aryan supremacist, but had a profound understanding and respect for Mongolia and the Mongolians and the surrounding peoples and cultures. The portraits he draws of the resourceful pair and the people they meet on their epic journey are unforgettable. It is hard to believe that the characters aren't real people. It is hard to have two central characters without one becoming the "sidekick", but Muhlenweg manages it. The sagacious Big Tiger is a strong character in his own right, not at all overshadowed by Christian (aka Compass Mountain). And I reckon Christian met his match in the Mongolian girl Sevenstars. Even the dog (which she gives to him) is memorable. I keep wondering what happened to them. A vastly underrated book, a real classic.

Mavis Jukes' Blackberries In The Dark tells of a family tradition of blackberry picking summers challenged by a grandfather's death. Grandma is alone and Austin feels his summer has lost its special magic - it's up to them both to make new traditions in this warm story of death and change, with black and white drawings by Thomas Allen.

After his grandfather dies, nine year old Austin isn't sure what he will do with himself during the ten days that he has at his grandmother's house. The previous summer Austin and his grandfather went fishing, and this year he was going to learn how to fly fish, but now all that has changed. At least that is what he thinks, but his grandmother has other ideas. Together they will start some new family traditions, and Austin will still be able to enjoy his time at Grandma's house.

Don't let the thinness of BLACKBERRIES IN THE DARK fool you into thinking that there is nothing worthwhile between the covers. This book has more meat in its 58 pages than can be found in any number of books that are two or three times longer. Mavis Jukes does a wonderful job of telling this story about grief and love. It is very easy to see what is going on, but at the same time, it is also easy to put yourself in the place of nine year-old Austin.

That's not to say that this book is flaw free. The entire story takes place over the course of about 12 hours. I kind of wish that Jukes had spread the events out a little more. However, that isn't a major thing, and it doesn't take away from the fact that BLACKBERRIES IN THE DARK is a really good book to sink your teeth into.

(...)

The Title of this story is Blackberry's in the Dark. The authors name is Mavis Jukes, and the pictures were done by Tomas B. Allen. There's a little boy named Austin. He goes to his grandparent's house every summer. He's not so happy this time, his grandfather past away not so long ago and so this time it's just his grandmother and him. He goes to pick some blakberries by the riuer. His grandmother comes up later with some fishing gear. His grandfather was going to teach him to fly fish that year, but now the grandmother is going to try to teach him even though she doesn't know how, she was thinking maybe her and her grandson could try to figure it out together. Here's a phrase to help you see how they talk in this book. "I didn't Know" began Austin. His grandmother drew him near to her. "Nobody knew, Austin." She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Nobody knew that would be the last summer we'd all have together." She pressed Austin's cheek against her sweater and they stood there for a few minutes, roking back and forth. After a while she asked..." I would recommend this book to some people. I liked it because in a way it was touching but in a way it was fun. I woudn't recommend this book to someone that just really doesn't like calm books, they mostly like action books. I haven't read any other books like this one yet. It's good!

While reading this book, your heart is filled with sorrow. Sorrow for those who are already dead,and sorrow for those who remain. Through simple and clear images, this book leads you to reflect on life and its meaning...Pilar Barrera Wey.

Probably the best young children's book on the subject of a death in the family.

Very beautifully written, tears will almost definitely flow from the adult reading it. One might then ask, why bother with this book if it's about death, a heavy subject my kid hasn't been exposed to? Well, actually, it is a very uplifting story about life itself. No psychobabble or religious references, just a simple story of family, bonds, and tradition. Jukes' writing is beautifully crafted, making this simple story very meaningful. Death itself is dealt with matter-of-factly, and there is nothing scary in the book.

Though tinged with sadness, it is truly wonderful, and there are even a couple of good laughs. (Like life itself, no?)

Highly recommended.

My 5 year old twin boys have just begun to enjoy this series of books after reading two of the Billy and Blaze books saved from my own childhood. I decided to complete the collection for them and have bought all the other books. These classic boy-and-faithful-horse-adventure stories have a timeless appeal that have been a joy to revisit for me and to discover for the first time for them.

We have read most of the Billy and Blaze books and this is our favourite. Two reasons: 1) This book shows the most exciting riding scenes, and 2) This book shows Billy and Blaze at their bravest moment. We also recommend Blaze Shows the Way; again for the dramatic riding scenes.

I like Billy and Blaze books and I like what happened in that book Blaze and the Forrest fire and it said in the book that Billy's dog Rex goes with them on rides and one day he's sick. Billy and Blaze is about a boy and his pony who race to the forest fire to set and speeed the alarm. But one day he was sick? It reminds me of Paul Brandt's CD Calm Before The Storm.

My 7 yo son loves the Billy and Blaze series. This series is an excellent one for boys. Even if you don't think they have an interest in horses.

There is great adventure, like only a boy could imagine. And the stories are not so inane that the parents reading them cry for mercy. ;-)

I recommend it and my son highly recommends it.

C.W. Anderson has outdone himself with this Billy and Blaze story. I love most of his Blaze series with its timeless feel and innocence; what life used to be about. Blaze and Billy are put in a situation of defending the entire forest. They must make their way over hill and dale to alert the neighbouring farm. Will they make it... well I wont spoil it for you. Blaze and the Forest Fire is a unique and wonderful book. You will love it.

I read this book a while back. I was looking for another book by the same author and I noticed that Blood Father only had 4 reviews. You've got to be kidding! This was a great book! It was very different from what I usually read, but so well done that I want to read another one by the same author. Something different. Something good. Go for it!

John Link is an ex Hells Angel, his mission in life is to find his runaway daughter and reconnect, keep his life simple and stay clean. One phone call from that runaway daughter, Lydia, and his life is changed forever. Go on the run with Lydia and Link as Link accomplishes what must be done to keep Lydia alive while she is being chased and hunted by a drug cartels thugs. Throughout this wild drama Lydia is finding out for herself just what kind of mess she has gotten herself into and the realization that Link has always wanted to be there for her and how far he is willing to forsake himself. This book was awesome and in some ways hit close to home to the point it was scary. I look forward to going back in time with Craig's previous titles and to whatever he has planned next.

Set on the streets of LA among the violent gangs who mete out their own unforgiving brand of vengeance, this is a story of survival, regret, fear and hatred. Blood Father plunges fully into the twisted psyche of a twisted part of today's society, visiting with the seemingly hopeless plight of the drug addicted kids caught up in the LA street gangs. Peter Craig has given us an absorbing story featuring an estranged father / daughter relationship that has been brought back together in a grim fight for survival.

I found Blood Father to be a particularly moving story that is a modern day tragedy about a former Hell's Angel who is just putting his life back together after a long stretch in prison and his daughter, a wild child rebel whose addiction to drugs and danger have thrown her into trouble way above her head.

This character-based story is dominated by Link and Lydia Jane, the father and daughter who have to learn and accept each other as they also try to evade an array of pursuers.

Link was a member of the Hell's Angels, a biker who lived life on the absolute edge, often through a haze of drugs and alcohol. There can be no doubt, he was a loser on a one way ride to self-destruction and his imprisonment for manslaughter was not only inevitable but also partly his salvation. The other part came before he went to jail when his girlfriend gave birth to a baby girl. She was born very premature and it seemed unlikely that she would survive her first week. She did and Link named her Lydia Jane. Although Link loved her, he and her mother moved apart and he fell into trouble and a long prison stretch.

Through a series of marriages, Lydia's mother turned herself into a high society woman, part of the rich set leaving her days as a biker's woman well and truly behind her. Lydia however was a rebellious girl who was occasionally abused by her stepfathers and she turned to drugs at a young age. Gradually, she moved in with a smooth talking dealer, unaware just how dangerous he was until she made one mistake too many and had to run.

When Lydia joins Link they head for open country with the initial fear that the police were after them and then later, the cold realisation hits that someone with a grudge against Lydia was also on their trail. But this seems so much more than a simple grudge, her pursuers leaving behind a frightening trail of devastation leading Link to wonder what she had left behind her and how he was going to protect her.

Blood Father is a grim story oozing with hopelessness with both father and daughter in desperate need of support with one either picking up the pieces of his life and the other strung out on drugs. They are a couple who are simultaneously fighting their own demons, learning to love and respect each other while distracted by the terrible danger that seems to be a mere step behind them.

Although the second half of the book steams ahead with the frantic thrill of the chase, the pace is a lot more leisurely at the start with a great deal of groundwork put in place regarding the character backgrounds. I appreciated the background detail finding it gave a greater feeling of depth and understanding for Link and Lydia, not to mention stark insight into the type of people who would be coming after them later.

Peter Craig has done an outstanding job of creating an extreme situation with a strong leaning towards tremendous violence and has made it seem entirely plausible. He has written a powerful story, filled it with flawed heroes and then has made us care about them. It gets into the dirty cracks of society prising out the greedy, the needy and the vicious who thrive on the blooming drug culture. The focus for us is whether two people will be able to escape from that life unscathed.

Well-written and provocative, this is an excellent modern noir thriller with relevant themes that are portrayed all too realistically. Because happy endings are never assured in real life, nothing can be taken for granted her either other than the certainty that this book will move you.

Peter Craig's Blood Father follows on the heels of his hugely entertaining literary crime thriller Hot Plastic. And while his prior work drifted closer to Thompson's noir territory, this book finds him in an Ellroy sort of mood, reveling in the criminal underground seething through the streets of LA and the baked nowhere deserts of Nevada. You can check out the plot synopsis above, so I won't recap it here, but it is a fairly traditional setup. The difference in Blood Father is the way Craig carefully crafts each character so that they transcend their thriller archetypes and become living, breathing people whose interactions drive the plot as much as the fast-paced machinations of the setup. And Craig's research into the dynamics of prison life, early Hell's Angels crank-trade, and the workings of the AFO and Mexican Mafia are all fascinating.

The elements for a classic thriller are here. Fully realized characters (including intensely brutal bad guys)- Check. Unexpected twists which redefine your perception of the depth of the story- Check. Awesome insights into prison life and aspects of the criminal underground- Check. Hard-boiled dialogue- Check. Gonzo pace, rich setting, and a hugely satisfying resolution- Three more checks.

There are moments in the book where it feels like it was being written for eventual film adaptation (i.e. cutesy quips during intense action scenes, or action scenes that occasionally defy physics for the sake of "something really cool happening"), but the pace of the book and the overall quality of the writing make these elements negligible. I can only hope that the eventual film of Blood Father will convey the richness of the prose and the wonderful relationship between Lydia and Link.

I'm not alone in hoping that Craig will soon craft a crime novel of epic proportions. He's clearly proven his ability with character-based road thrillers (and, really, the intense drama of familial relationships). Now I'm looking forward to an American Tabloid or Traffic-type sprawl. If any new crime author is up to it, it's Craig. Meanwhile, Blood Father comes very highly recommended.

Lydia Carson, on the run from her boyfriend Jonas' gang, calls her long estranged father for help. Her dad, Link, is an ex-con and ex-Hell's Angel. Lydia doesn't know it, but Link has been trying to find her for years, ever since he went to prison and she disappeared with her mother. Link jumps at the chance to help Lydia, and thus begins a wild adventure across the southern California desert. Link must use all of his wits to keep himself and his daughter alive.

Peter Craig's third novel builds on the themes he explored in the previous two--particularly, the adult child's relationship with the father. Although his work is primarily character-driven he has achieved a new level of storytelling with Blood Father. His navigation through back story is particularly skillful, he has the knack of writing flashbacks which do not distract and give emotional depth to the characters. The language in this novel is beautiful, and bestows a quality of grace to these characters who the reader comes to care about deeply.