Powell Books

The Shepherd has got to be my all-time number one favorite short story and should be considered a must-own book for anyone who enjoys Aviation Literature.

I bought this book about twenty years ago in a used book store in San Luis Obisbo, CA for $4; I know this because that is the price penciled in on the first page. I have read it at least ten times.

The great surprise about this book on top of the masterful writing, is the absolutely wonderful illustrations done by Lou Feck. This book is prolific with these illustrations, around 40 total, in a book only 123 pages in length. It is amazing how much Lou Feck's illustrations add to this book. I would buy the book for the illustrations alone. If I recall, only the smaller Hardback has these illustrations, I seem to remember the larger size hardback has a different set of illustrations which are not nearly as detailed.

OK, so I've gone on and on about these illustrations, so what do I have to say about the book?

Well, others have left pretty good descriptions about the story, so the only thing I would add, is that this story could have been an excellent Twilight Zone episode. I won't give away the ending, but I will say that it is very much like the type of twist you would see on the Twilight Zone. If you love stories of Aviation, you will love this book, and if I could only take five books from a burning house, this would be on the list.

I also highly recommend "Night Flight" by Antoine De St Exupery, which is another excellent short story.

If you are a pilot, or love the flying life, or are a writer who aspires to an altitude well above the mundane, here is a classic.

Forsyth tells a Christmas-time story of a young pilot's solo flight home to England from Germany in a then-current single-engine Vampire jet fighter. The weather is not good at takeoff, gets no better enroute and goes to worse upon arrival. A typical night in European winter flying, but with an unusual climax.

To tell more is to reveal the plot line to any who might not have already read (and re-read)The Shepherd. And it is too good a timeless book to do that. Buy it!

This is a great little story that is combined with vivid illustrations. The illustrations make it seem as though it is a young readers' book, but the context of the book is a mature one. Simply, this is a story of a Cod War era RAF pilot who is flying his Vampire (early British fighter jet) home from Germany to England on Christmas Eve night. The reader is treated to the reflective thoughts of the lonely pilot as he flies through the dark and quiet winter sky, and then we are treated to a Twilight Zone-like account of faulty instruments, bad weather, and a mysterious rescue in the fog . . . .
An adult can read this in about 15 minutes. It's a great tale, and an unusual delivery from a master of espionage fiction. Try it if you can find it.

Excellent book. I highly recommend it. It will cause you to beleive in a higher being.

This is, simpy put, one of my favorite readings of all time.

This very short novel is engaging, exciting and very well written. Forsyth showed that he's more than one of the best thriller writers of all time.

Rick Singer has outdone himself! If you thought his first book, "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present," was wonderful, you haven't read anything yet. Singer has taken the word "mindfulness" to a new level and shows us how to apply it to every moment of our lives. A Japanese Proverb says, "Beginning is easy, continuing is hard." However, they obviously hadn't read Singer's new book, " Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul: 111 Meditations for Everyday Enlightenment" -- Rick has made it easy to begin and continue. -- Sue Vogan, author/radio show host

Richard A Singer, Jr. has found a way to guide everyone fortunate enough to read his book YOUR DAILY WALKS WITH THE GREAT MINDS to a life of contemplation and enrichment, not by seeking out seminars throughout the world, but instead by relying on time alone with his secure companionship of selected words and accompaniments. He quietly and gently supports our capacity to improve our physical and spiritual lives while at the same time sharing words on a daily basis from famous thinkers that expand our survey of history and appreciation for the human spirit.

Singer draws brief but significant single sentence quotes from a wide range of people - from famous physicians such as William Osler and Freud, to news commentators like Dan Rather, to painters like Van Gogh and Picasso, scientists like Einstein, philosophers like William James and Nietzsche, composers such as Beethoven, writers like Henry James, poets like Emerson, Whitman and Frost, and the many inspirational voices of the past like Gandhi, MLK, JFK, and Mother Theresa. Opening each day's 'walk' with such a thought, Singer then offers a related meditational though, follows that with instruction to enter our responses in a journal, and then extracts a pledge from this exercise to make a difference in our own lives and in the global community.

Self-help books are many: some are trendy and some are timeless. This little portable volume is one that will last far beyond the year that it is chronicled to accompany. Once again Richard Singer extends a firm and wise hand to increase our awareness of the past, our place in the present, and our choices for a future, richer because of the time we have spent with his generous spirit. Grady Harp, July 08

Richard Singer's book "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present" will definitely change the way you look at life and become the person you were sent down here to be.
What can you look forward to when you get this book? The book is broken down into daily assignments...you read a quote from one of the great minds, then a short paragraph to guide you on your day along with a mind searching question which you answer. This short daily time enables you to gradually change your mindset and I have found that I think about my daily question and answer all day. I have a small notebook I take along with me and have all my short daily thoughts written down...which helps me keep the concepts I have learned so far fresh in my mind.
Another good thing is that Richard gives you a monthly reading assignment...a book written by a great mind, past and present. Having the whole month to read the assignment enables you to absorb the information.
I am gradually changing the way I look at my life and people around me have started noticing a change...more positive, more hopeful, more grateful to the abundance that I do have in my life...even if right now it's not the monetary abundance...but I am now hopeful and positive that that too will change very soon.
Thank you Richard...you have written a book that everyone can handle gradually...so even those who say "I have no time to read" can do this and will gradually want to read more.

Reviewed by Lisa Kisner for Reader Views (11/06)

If you have every wondered how to start finding peace within yourself, look no further than this book. Mr. Singer's book gives you the tools to change your life and be inspired to live each day to its' fullest. Day by day this book expands on wisdom imparted by a surprisingly diverse group of people, from well known spiritual leaders such as Gandhi to Jackie Collins, popular author. Mr. Singer provides you with a daily meditation based on the thought of the day. Questions for thought and personal journaling, as well as affirmations to carry through out the day, round off each day's mediations and help you find answers to your life questions. Also provided each month is a suggested reading that enhances the daily enlightenment exercises.

Mr. Singer walks the reader through his strategies for transformation. These include:

Modeling - gaining insight from the quotes and the people who said them,
Bibiotherapy - reading to gain knowledge and insight,
Mindfulness - applying the daily guidance throughout the day,
Journaling - express your thoughts and feelings in a personal notebook,
Visualizations- visualizing your transformation each day will help you achieve the results you want, and
Affirmations - internalizing and applying these truths throughout the day.

I found this book very easy to read. Every day's meditation can be completed in a few minutes. Subject and author indexes are provided should you have need for a specific topic of meditation on any given day. The suggested monthly readings fit well with the meditations and feature some of my favorite inspirational books. Each day's meditations, journaling exercise and affirmations related to some aspect of my life and challenged me to look inside myself and find my purpose. Every message was inspirational and left me wanting more. I found it impossible to read only one day at a time, even on my busiest days. I read the entire book in less than a week. Now, I look forward to each morning's message and journaling. Already I can say that I am further down the road to inner peace than before picking up this wonderful book, "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds."

If you are a seeker of truth and knowledge, "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present" is a must read. The author created a masterpiece juxtaposition of both classical and contemporary thinkers most thought provoking works presented in a wonderful format which encourages the reader to record their own thoughts brought out by the myriad of masterminds presented so artfully in this work. The author definitely did his homework. An enthralling, mesmerising book, that no one's library is complete without. Do yourself a big favor; buy this book!

This is indeed a holistic approach. I have been with horses for over forty years and I have read so many new ideas about our relationship with horses. It is an honest book of an honest man, concerned with the wellfare of horse and human. I am sad I have not read this book 30 years earlier (it was not published then). My horses would have deserved it and my relationship with them would have been all the better for it.

I have always wanted horses since I was a small child, growing up with my Uncle's horses. There has always been a connection between me and horses. I just purchased two of the most beautiful Arabian horses, later in life. My little boy has been abused and is 4 years old and is in training. When I purchased him, you couldn't get close to him and put a halter on him, and now he follows me arround and wants to be right next to me. My little girl is 2 and has always been loved and is really sweet. I spent two weeks bonding with my little boy and we have such love and communication between us that he is a different horse and really trust me. I bought this book and realize that as a novice, I did the wrong thing of buying 2 green horses. I felt something when I saw them and knew that we were ment to be together. I will tell you that I could not put this book down until I finished it. I realized all the things I was doing wrong....and all the things that I was doing right. I love my horses so much and they know it as soon as they see me. I would really like to meet Sam someday and learn more from him. I highly reccommend this book to everyone. I know that I should of bought older, and trained horses, but the love I have for my beautiful babies grows everyday. I know I need to learn....and I belive in Sam's way of training. I know I will be alot more wiser in what I do now....but I have patience and hope I will be a good partner and companion to the two best horses in the world.

This is one of the better books on horse psychology. I have used methods outlined in the book and they work. Highly recommended.

After reading several other books from trainers and horseman, I found Sam's book, wow! What a find. Sam has put into words what few other horseman can and in away that all will understand. Having worked with horses since he was a young man has given him wisdom to help both horse and man. His simple manner in which he uses in his book allows the reader to get the most from reading his book. I have learned more from his book than any other book, magazine or video I have reviewed. He has helped me to understand the horse form a perspective I never knew possible. This will be a book you will want to read over and over. This book has something for everyone that loves his or her horse. From the beginner to the advanced professional, you will learn a way of communicating that actually works. Communication that will open your eye to a new world for both horse and person, ENJOY!

I had bought this book originally as a good all around read, but ended up needing a lot of its valuable information when I purchased a gelding at an auction. Something just made my hand go up, even though the horse reared in the ring. I thought I had brought home a mistake until I went back and started to re-read Mr. Powell's book. I even e-mailed him at his address for additional help. Needless to say, 18 months later, this horse is the friendliest, most willing-to-please horse in our pasture. The potential I saw him at the auction has come full circle thanks to the wisdom in Mr. Powell's book. Thanks Sam! This is a must read for all horse people!

After my twins were born 3 months early, I felt really alone. No one in my family had babies like ours. The only people that I had to talk to were nurses and doctors, and the are not big on offering hope.
I finally found this book and immediately found what I needed at the time, to know that other babies had went through this and survived. This book gave me comfort while my two boys were still in the NICU, I cannot recommend it enough.

I cried in every single stories of this book. they are very touching. and yes, i could relate to all of the stories in there, especially the stories on very premature babies. the stories definitely gave me hopes on my baby's future (who was born 10 weeks premature). this book is really a good source for parents with premature babies.

how would i describe this book? engrossing, heartfelt, heartbreaking, encouraging, emotional, wonderful!
all of the babies do survive in this book, but not all come out unscathed. all the parents mention how the child is affected now by their problems. some stories are short, some are long, but they are all so heartfelt,and true! you can't help but be engaged by these stories, that are not at all what you expect. you cry with the parents, and get excited when they do well. you are amazed what these kids go through. since the stories are written by the parents, it is firsthand knowledge, and no two stories are told in the same manner,and each one is so important to the writer, which is conveyed in the story.
i really recommend this book!!

I went down this dark road after the premature birth of my daughter at 27 weeks gestation. Living Miracles offers hope to those who might feel their situation is hopeless, but it is not for the faint of heart. To be the mother or father of a premature child, especially with one who develops problems, one must learn to be strong, resilient, loving, and patient. It is a selfess calling, as these parents show us. And it always, always helps to know you are not alone . . .

Thank you for sharing!

Three years ago, I took a trip to my local book store in search of books about preemies. The selection I found was limited at best. I spent hours searching for a book with real stories about babies born prematurely-I found not one. I found some good informative books, which were also important, but none that gave me the kind of hope and inspiration I so desperately needed those weeks and months after my daughter was born at 25 weeks gestation. When I heard about this book, Living Miracles, Stories of Hope from Parents of Premature Babies, edited by Kimberly A. Powell & Kim Wilson, I thought to myself, "Well, it's about time there came about a book like this!" I was very excited about the book as I sat down to read it, but nothing could have prepared me for how wonderful the book turned out to be!

The book is laid out by gestation from 23 weeks to 36 weeks, with 22 stories in all. They have various outcomes, just as in real life. Each story is written from the parent's point of view, which makes it that much more gripping. There are stories where the children come out virtually unscathed from their experience with prematurity, and also stories where children have severe complications due to their prematurity. There are also stories about children who have problems completely unrelated to their prematurity. However the stories end up, they are all very touching and inspiring.

This is a book not only for parents of premature babies, but for everyone. You can't help but feel inspired after reading the stories of these heroic children born with the deck stacked against them. It is good for new parents of premature babies to give them hope for the future and make them realize they are not alone in what they are feeling the hours, weeks and months after their babies are born; For families of people with babies born premature to help them understand some of what the new parents are going through and feeling; For the average person who doesn't even know that there are over 400,000 babies born prematurely every year. It is important for people to be more aware of the many babies who are born early, and also that there are a number of reasons babies are born premature. Hopefully this book will find it's way to those people who don't have a clue that the preemie world even exists-just as I didn't just a short 3 years and some change ago! But most importantly, it is a great book for new parents of preemie babies because there is so much uncertainty after their birth.

I think deconstruction is important but have difficulty understanding it. This book is the only lucid explanation I've seen of it's basic principles.

If you are beginning to read derrida, this book will be very helpful. Now if they only made one for Judith Butler! (Skip the Foucault, his theories are not that complex.)

Derrida is my favorite philosopher. I don't think that his 'Deconstruction' is holistic necessarily but the gist of it explains the inherent problems of doing philosophy better then anything else I've read.

Unlike the greats of Science who simplify complex ideas (i.e..Stephen Hawking, Richard Feynman), the guru's of philosophy take fairly straight-forward ideas and shroud them with such mysterious sounding proprietary language that their work becomes nearly impossible to decipher. Derrida is no exception. This is a shame because his underlying message is brilliant...and really not not all that abstract.

So until philosophers realize that less words does not directly translate to less intelligence, we should be very glad to have commentators like Jim Powell around.

"Derrida For Beginners" concentrates on developing the key concept of "differance" and defining the necessary Derridian terminology used to communicate its meaning. The book clearly defines, "binary opposites", "texts", "logocentricism" etc.. and has plenty of diagram's to help you get the idea. While I can't say the artwork did much for me, the cartoon setting does force the message to be carried accross succinctly...no babling. The first book I read after failing miserably to tackle "Of Grammatology" was "Derrida" by Christopher Norris. While his was an excellent introduction..I will say that after I read "Derrida for Beginners" I went back and read most of Norris' book again and got a lot more out of it. Try this: read "Derrida for Beginners" as many times as needed until you have all the words in bold print at your fingertips..then, read Norris' book "Derrida". With this few hours of investment, do some online searches and read some of the commentaries and criticism of Derrida. You will be surprised at how badly he is misunderstood by so many who have studied him a lot more then you, and should feel good about your knowledge in comparisom. Of course you then need to get humble again so start reading "Of Grammatology". :)

This book is concerned with making accessible the often inaccessible Derrida. Derrida's philosophy will help you develop a healthy sensibility and cynicism for 'knowledge' and 'representation.'
Do not be fooled by the 'for beginners' title; it is not simply an introduction, it is a hands-on intepretation of several his 'major' works. The book has any value for anyone interested in learning about the world in which we live.

This book is concerned with making accessible the often inaccessible Derrida. Derrida's philosophy will help you develop a healthy sensibility and cynicism for 'knowledge' and 'representation.'
Do not be fooled by the 'for beginners' title; it is not simply an introduction, it is a hands-on intepretation of several his 'major' works. The book has any value for anyone interested in learning about the world in which we live.

I came across the paperback edition of this book a couple of years ago and snapped it up at once. Major kudos to Ms. Plunkett-Powell for what is obviously a labor of love, painstakingly researched and exhaustively documented, full of great stories, equally great photos and reminiscences from loyal Woolworth's customers. Today's variety store chains, including Dollar General, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree, owe their very existence to the groundbreaking Woolworth's five-and-dime store chain and its contemporary competitors, such as Ben Franklin, McCrory's and S. S. Kresge (the precursor of Kmart). This book makes it abundantly clear why, as well as bringing back tons of wonderful memories of Woolworth's sheer variety of merchandise, its friendly and helpful sales staff and its dearly-missed lunch counters full of delicious meals, snacks and treats, all of which I enjoyed as a boy in my hometown of Lafayette, LA, with my late maternal grandmother, and later as an adult in New Orleans, which had not one but two Woolworth stores on its main shopping drag, downtown Canal Street. That its later owners allowed it to be so mismanaged and finally killed is a scandal to the jaybirds...but at least we have Karen's book to help us remember it.

Working class Americans once had a place to shop with their families where they were made to feel important, even rich. They could dine inexpensively at the lunch counter and spend a morning or afternoon just browsing through the most fabulous Five-and-Dime store in the world. The rich had Tiffany's and Macy's. Everyone else had Woolworth's.

Some Sunday mornings I still walk through the aisles of that familiar building with the Red-Font which bears the Woolworth's name. It is no longer Woolworth's, of course, but this only adds to the nostalgia while looking for Coke items or other bits of Americana to take home. The building is a nostalgic downtown landmark here in Bakersfield and has been converted into an antique's store. It still feels like a Woolworth's inside, however, even the famous lunch counter remaining to add to our sense of stepping into the past.

This marvelous book by Karen Plunkett-Powell will bring back fond memories for those not fortunate enough to still have that connection to America's past to enjoy. It is filled with sentimental remembrances from children who shopped with their parents or grandparents, or had an ice cream soda with the girl they later married. It is a book filled with recollections from those who bought all their Christmas presents for friends and family at America's Christmas store, and even some who worked at Woolworth's, personalizing a great success story.

It is that mix of personal nostalgia and historical narrative about this most wonderful of stores which separate this book from others of its ilk. The book is augmented by color and black and white pictures of stores in America and abroad, and Woolworth's products and collectibles. Even photos of Hollywood fan magazines showing the retailer's connection to early silent films are included in a book both fun and informative. While dealing with the business transitions and social and economic changes which finally saw the last store of this greatest of companies fade into the sunset, it is the nostalgia most people will find irresistible.

Not just the story of Frank Woolworth and how he built a retail empire by offering customers quality merchandise at low prices while making them feel special, it is very much a story of America's nostalgic past. Woolworth's was everyone's store. It belongs to our past and is imbedded into our memories. Any girl who ever bought a bottle of Evening in Paris and any young man who ever enjoyed its fragrance while sitting next to her in a movie house is connected to that icon of retailers, Woolworth's. I highly recommend this fabulous trip down memory lane. And if you're ever in Bakersfield you might want to stop at the Red-Font once again and remember how America once was.

Without question, the best written book on the nostalgic craze I have read. The book is superb with photos of all kinds.My favorite is the lunch counter chapter. Thumbs up to the author who cuts Woolworth's no slack in the poor wages paid to the counter girls and the refusal to serve blacks food in the white only lunch counter sections, which caused the well known sit-ins in 1960. This book would also make a nice gift to anyone. Hope author comes out with another nostalgic book.

Beautifully written. Well researched. Excellent sequence. Marvelous layout. Well presented. Not at all like the history books of yore, or the dull stuff by corporate hacks. "Remembering Woolworth's" brought back memories of the Bayonne, NJ, store where I got caught shoplifting. Only books, of course, because I was a literate young hoodlum. I think they called them "Big Little Books." Very bulky under a 10 yr. old's jacket.That's why I got caught, and learned my lesson. No police; just shocked and disappointed immigrant parents. Still, I went on to a brilliant career in crime.

This book brought back so many memories - and I'm only 41! It's
fun to read, with a layout that mixes photos, anecdotes, drawings, and personal reminscences - almost like a magazine. Reading this book makes you realize that Woolworth's was everything Kmart and Wal-Mart are not - charming, inviting, and much more than a place to get a bargain. Author Karen Plunkett-Powell captures the Americana, the nostalgia, and the details that make us all smile when we remember Woolworth's. For me, it was about recalling the malted milks my aunt used to buy me at the counter when I was small, and the quick gifts I used to pick up for friends and my children from the Woolworth's that used to be located downstairs from an office building where I worked for many years. So many of our everyday experiences nowadays are empty -- do yourself a favor and travel back to a simpler yet more meaningful time by reading this book or buying it for a friend. It's not a typical boring history book -- and it makes a GREAT gift for the senior citizen in your life who you never know what to get for a present -grandma, a relative in a nursing home, a neighbor who signs for your packages or whatever - even if that person is not the type to sit down and read a book, they'll have so much fun leafing through it.

This is an EXCELLENT book about the inner workings and decision makeing process of the Bush Administration during Panama and Desert Shield/Storm.

It is easy to become jaded today about what our government is doing and why, but The Commanders, is one of the most engaging looks at your government coming together. For better or for worse, it is even more engaging since so many of the "players" in this book are in the forefront of our news today. One of Woodwards' best.

I bought this book on a Friday night and compulsively read the book until Sunday morning. The read is quick, and the parts about Panama are very fascinating. It's nice to read about something that doesn't involve the Middle East....oh wait a minute, the middle east is covered as is the military history of this period. Colin Powell is a hero and a great pragmatic man, which mkes me long for the pre-Clinton days. History would be much different if Goerge the 1st stayed in power just 4 more years. The bravery and pragmatism of the 1st Bush administration makes you wonder about this Bush administration.

Bob Woodword seems to have become the reporter of authority when it comes to writing what I have heard called "instant histories", that is, histories that will surely be expanded as perspective is gained on a given event, but ones that accurately record how people saw things at the time. In "The Commanders" Woodword gives blow by blow accounts of two major foreign policy crisis' which ultimately led to military action: the removal of Manuel Noriega from Panama and Operation Desert Storm. The book is a quick and absorbing read, focusing almost entirely on the relationhip between the military (Pentagon) and civilian (White House) leaderships, and how that relationship operates during a crisis.

I assume that many who read this book now look to widen their view of some of the key players in the current administration, namely Cheney, Powell, and Wolfowitz (though in much lesser role here) and now is as good a time as any to do so. My impression of Powell, while widened, remains consistent. He comes off as more hesitant to use force than others, very conscious of organization, very thorough, and very aware that words have power. Cheney, however, doesn't at all resemble his sinister caricature. He, too, is careful and analytical, often concerned with Bush "ratcheting up the rhetoric way too much," and, at one point, even recomending that Bush slow down and "wait for the UN." Whereas these two figures are painted as rivals within the "W" administration, they pictured as allies in the first Bush Administration.

Our problems with diplomacy are also present, though they are not the focus of the book. The presumed reaction from Latin America contrained our ability to craft a war plan in Panama, even though it was "anticipated that privately most of these governments would send back-channel word that they were nuetral or even pleased" that Noriega was removed, and it was certain that the Panamanian people hated their leadership (92% were ultimately in favor of Noriega's removal, according to Woodword). Also, many instances show Arab regimes begging for protection, though not wanting their populations to know about the American presence. At one point, the exiled Emir of Kuwait even refuses to meet with members of the US Senate. And of course, "The French were a problem and required a major effort". We will continue to have problems if governments, particualrly democratic ones, refuse to reveal to their publics what they see as in their own national interest. Ahh, the trials of a superpower!

If you are looking for an account of the diplomatic manuevering, the assembling of the coalition, or the national political debate preceeding either conflict; or you want an account of Gulf I itself, this is not your book. Taken for what it is, however, "The Commanders" is an excellent. There are a number of times where statements from this book could fit perfectly into the latest foray in Iraq, but I'll let you hunt for those.

Lastly, funniest line in the book: "the secure internal electronic-mail system, called E-mail, provided a means of quick nearly instantaneous communications by computer with the boss." Who knew only a decade ago that you needed someone to explain what an E-mail is?

This book starts at the beginning of the GHW Bush Administration and goes through to the very beginning of the Gulf War.
It's always a little difficult to know how accurate Woodward's recountings are of conversations and inner-thoughts of the most important people, but there are rarely serious complaints about the accuracy of his books - at least as far as I am aware. For the most part, the book comes from the perspective of Powell and Cheney, with important additions from other key folks at the Pentagon and White House.
The beauty of reading about the GHW Bush Administration is that one also learns about the GW Bush Administration, for many of the key players came back for an encore.

Woodward did a top notch job of discussing important issues in a way that appeals to the general reader. I hope he continues to do so with the GW Bush Administration; both "Bush at War" and "Plan of Attack" are fine books, but "The Commanders" is much better.

I must preface my review with the fact that I know Mary Reynolds Powell and was part of her book, A World of Hurt (Chapter 9). Each time I reread her book, I always find new realities about the war and all of those who particapated and experienced the horrors of war. As a retired military officer, I am constantly impressed on how Mary was able to encompass the totality of the war from all the varied perspectives: the combat soldier, the injured and dying, the nurses and doctors (who were on the receiving end of combat), the pilots, and the Vietnamese themselves. I consider this book a "must read" who would like to better understand the tragic events that occurred when young men and women were asked to fight a "political war" with no clear diplomatic or military objectives. While Mary and I may disagree somewhat on the overall concept of having to fight wars, I strongly recommend her book to you. One thing I learned in Viet Nam was how precious life is and how easily it can be taken away. Mary's realistic portrayal of the war and of those who were there clearly articulates what it was like to fight a war that was mired in politics and lack of support by the American people. In the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), we had a saying: "For those who have not fought for it, freedom has a meaning the protected will never know." I know what it was like over there, and Mary's book is a magnificent portrayal of the Viet Nam war and its tragic costs on human lives and souls.

I loved this book! I got so attached to some of the nurses and pilots. The last chapter was the best, I cried through the whole thing.

This is one of those book that I will not sell or give away. I am sure I will read this again.

Mary's book holds a special interest to me since I was one of the original dustoff pilots to come with the 45th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) from Fort Bragg to Long Binh, Vietnam in July of 1967.

Her story is from the heart and is an excellent explanation of a nurses point of view of the ugliness that could only describe what Vietnam was about.

I have the greatest admiration for those who toiled in our hospitals in Vietnam and knowing first hand of the many, many casualties that we dustoff pilots delivered to their front door (in various degrees of trauma), the book was a confirmation of the horrible trauma that the medical staff faced.

A wonderfully written book. Hats off to you Mary!

I met Mary prior to my shipping out to the Gulf War, she told me that she was working on a book about her experiences in the Vietnam War, and also interviewing those that she served with. When the book finally came out I bought the book right away. Upon doing this, I could'nt put it down, I completed it in 2 days. The book had me laughing and on the verge of tears. Many books have been written from the eyes of a men serving in war, but too few have been written about a womens experience in that same war. I have to say her book was easy to read and understand, but at the same time conveys her feelings and alot of the frustration she felt durin her tour in Vietnam. I have to highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to see the war thru the eyes of a Vietnam nurse, or any women serving in a war zone. To all that served with honor in all wars including the one we are now engaged in, May God Bless you all and keep you safe, and also your loved ones.

Mary Reynolds Powell has written a wonderful book titled A World of Hurt: Between Innocence and Arrogance in Vietnam. Some of what she has shared in this book is her own feelings while other parts are those from some of the people she came to know while stationed at the 24th Evacuation Hospital in Long Binh, Vietnam.

Mary interviewed seven other individuals for A World of Hurt besides including her own personal stories of what it was like for her in-country and upon her return to the states. Stephanie Genthon Kilpatrick, John Miller, Frank Chamberlin, Son Dinh Nguyen, Chris Slavsky, Terry Corneil, Doug Powell and Mary shared so much in this interesting perspective 171-page book.

These individuals shared a lot with Mary who has now shared it with her readers. Their stories will amaze you as they all came from different lives as well as parts of the country. They all had feelings about the war before and after they served their country.

Retired Army Colonel David Hackworth wrote in his Foreword "Mary Reynolds Powell's powerful book is the perfect antidote to blow the revisionists out of the water-with the facts eloquently presented....Frequently...I found tears running down my face." I could tell that he had read this book and was as deeply moved as I had been.

In 1965 Mary "marched in a New York City parade backing the war." By 1969 she "wore a black armband in support of the national peace moratorium." After being "a registered nurse for only twelve months" in 1970 Mary found herself in Vietnam at the 24th Evac with the US Army Nurse Corps.

Mary recalled her stopover in Hawaii enroute to Vietnam walking past a group of Marines headed stateside "staring into the oldest eyes we had ever seen....their eyes were ancient, their faces blank." She quickly realized what she was getting into. She described her first night in-country as "Artillery hammered in the distance, mosquitoes feasted on me, and diarrhea induced by the malaria pills...kept me running to the latrine all night. Sleep came in brief, restless spurts."

The hospital's chief nurse asked Mary where she would like to work. When Mary said that she had done most of her work in internal medicine the chief nurse said there was an opening there and she was to start right away. I think this is one of the first books I've read where the author then tells the reader everything you'd ever want to know about the 24th Evac including a map of the area. I found it most interesting.

One of the items she described was the amphitheater where shows were put on. She pointed out something I was well aware of already. The site was where the "annual Bob Hope Show" was put on every "Christmas afternoon....You want to know something? Bob Hope has never spent a night in Vietnam. He flies to Thailand after every show." I'm so glad I wasn't the only one to point this fact out.

Mary explained the first day at Wards 7 & 8. She wrote of her name being added to the DEROS chart "in Vietnam, Marines stayed for thirteen months while Army and Navy tours were twelve-`364 days and a wake-up.'" She now had "359 days left." Mary took the time to describe several patients who stuck in her brain all these years. She also remembered "running...smiles....olive drab fatigues....endless IVs....gecko lizards....the proud, smiling face of a young soldier as I pin on the Purple Heart medal he earned with his body."

Mary's wrote "As a nation, it is time for us to take the burden from the kids who fought our war. All of us were part of the lie that wasted an American generation and devastated an ancient culture half a world away. Until we acknowledge the wrong that we did in arrogance, we will not have learned. And if we have not learned, we will do it again." And sadly I see that happening as I write this with our invasion of Iraq. I only pray our troops will come home quicker than they did when they were sent to Vietnam a generation ago.

This is a book well worth investing in. Mary's interweaving of stories and memories from her friends make it special. It should get more attention than it does but then again it's about an unpopular war and the people who served during it.

Nice, light read, with quirky characters and interesting plot twists. I wish it would be reprinted, maybe as a single volume with some of his other comedic novels. I first read this as both a Reader's Digest edition and later read the full novel from the library.

This book tells the saga of the Kwimpers of Cranbury County, New Jersey, who decide to teach the government a lesson by homesteading on the fill that was trucked in to support a highway bridge. The story is told through the voice of Toby Kwimper, the family's eldest son, an elementary school football star (he never got much further than elementary school on account of repeating so much), who the girls all find irresistible. Of course, Toby has his own way of resisting the girls so that they don't get the better of him. In fact, through honesty and good will, Toby manages to persevere through all the calamities that the government, the neighbors, and Mother Nature can think to throw at him, his family. This book was sheer delight to read. I just hope Toby's still out there on his land in Columbiana because I would love to meet him someday.

At the time I read this book, I hadn't even heard of it. My mother recommended it to me, for which I am grateful. The characters are funny, but at the same time they are real and touching. The other characters are a delight and the story logically progresses. The end is totally satisfying and, at times, totally unexpected. This book should go back into print.

This is one of Richard Powell's best books. It's main characters are a family of New Jersey Piney's. As Powell grew up in Philadelphia and later retired to Florida, he obviously knew a lot about the people and the places he wrote about. The Kwimper family is hysterical. Particularly the father, who feels he is helping the government by taking advantage of their various assistance programs. The book is a true satire in that regard. The main character, Toby Kwimper (played by Elvis in the movie version "Follow that Dream") is your classic big strong dope with a heart of gold. Like all Powell novel's it's very cleverly put together with great dialogue. If you like this book, check out some of Powell's better known novels: "The Philadelphia" (later made into a movie starring Paul Newman), and my all time favorite, and Powell's last and greatest novel "Whom the Gods Would Destory" (about the Trojan War, Helen of Troy, Odyssey cycle of stories - a truly great read). Powell at one time was a creative writing teacher at Syracuse Univ and it shows. He's one of my favorite authors.

"Pioneer, Go Home!" is great fun to read. I read it as a teen in the spring of '61 on a trip from Ohio to Florida. Mom, my Aunt and I went to the movies soon after we arrived. The movie was "Follow That Dream" starring Elvis Presley. As it turned out, the movie just happened to be based on the book I had just read on the way down to Florida! I read the Reader's Digest condensed version at the time. A few years ago, I was able to find a copy of the book. It really is that good! I have read and reread it many times. It is always fun! I would recommend it highly to anyone who loves fun books and has been to Florida in the 50's or early 60's. You will like the movie, too. This portrays a more natural Elvis than his usual movies do. The story takes you back to 50's Florida when it was unique in its own way.

I've been gardening for years but only recently started growing flowers from seed. This book has absolutely everything you need to plan and grow successfully. The entries are thorough but succinct, packing tons of info into a compact space. Every flower I've been interested in (100+) has been listed in here along with nice color photos. General information about seed starting and other methods of propagation in the beginning of the book make it a comprehensive reference for any type of gardening. Especially helpful are the special sections within the entries about caring for the plants. The author even includes suggestions for companion planting. All around a great reference for the beginner and experienced gardener alike. Oh and be certain to check out the appendix that concisely charts heights, hardiness, bloom time, color, etc. for all species. Makes planning your flower bed a breeze!

I used this book extensivly this spring for starting all my flowers and veggie. I found it easy to use and most flowers etc were listed. Great book for my library and I will use it in the future for sure.

I have a library of gardening books and this is the book I reach for every time I need info on a plant. It has all the info you need from starting from seed to maintaining your plants. When I wear my copy out, I'll buy another. It is also THE gift to give to new gardeners.

This book is an excellent reference book describing seeds.
Giving the botanical name and common name. Most helpful with information on germination and were the seeds will grow best. And the the section that has thumbnail pictures
is excellent. The ease of using the paperback is all so great.

Bought this for my wife and she loves it! She was reading this book like a novel. Provides good information and tips on a wide range of flowers. Bought this book due to good reviews as well!