Robertson Books

this book is a great book to read!especially if you want tbe become a leader.

This book was life changing for me. As a dad, a husband, a school teacher and a stand-up comedian, I needed these teachings. This book showed me a better way to lead at home and in the class room. It also has helped me deal with club owners, which has already materialized in more money. I now know that a leader doesn't make you follow him, he makes you WANT to follow him. My home, work, and business relationships have improved drastically because of this book. If you follow these teachings from the heart, you will see drastic changes in both your business and personal lives.

i just added this book b/c it sounded interesting and to bump cart price up to free shipping.
its an easy to read book with relevant insight.

This book's point is basically that if you treat people with respect and consideration, they'll be much more likely to like you and to see your viewpoint. It goes on to both outline and detail exactly how do do this, providing many examples. As Mr. Carnegie says, practicing the guidelines spelled out in the book won't mean everyone will like you and agree with you, but they will vastly improve the chances that people will like you and agree with you.

I really liked this book because not only is it dead-on accurate when it comes to improving the rate of positive interaction with people, it's an interesting read. I expected to skim through it and glean off the main points, but I ended up reading it from cover to cover.

If this guy's so good at winning friends and influencing people, how come he's dead?

At first glance this book didn't seem that promising but after reading literally the first pages I was hooked! Pulls you from start to finish and thankfully there's the rest of the trilogy to read (The Abhorsen Trilogy). Characters that remain in your heart even after the story is done (gotta love that Mogget). Enjoyed the refreshing concept of the gates (rivers) into the world of the dead and how they are accessed by using bells. Love the idea of an Abhorsen (sorcerer who returns the dead) as opposite to a Necromancer (sorcerer who's brings back the dead) and adore the explanation of "Free Magic" and the dimensions of the two worlds. Very well written book resonates very much with my "woo woo" ways. This trilogy is part of my all time favorites! Would make a thrilling Movie!

In a world where the Dead haunt the Old Kingdom and threaten its unprotected residents, Sabriel must leave the safety of her boarding school to take up her father's mantle as Abhorsen, a magic-schooled necromancer with the ability to journey to the land of death and set the world back to rights. Sabriel is distinctly high fantasy, which may require some adjustment, but the setting is imaginative and original for the genre. In this first novel, Nix's story telling is cumbersome and amateur, but the solid plot, unique setting, and strong female protagonist make up for it. This is an imperfect but engaging, vividly realized book, and I recommend it.

Presumably because this was his first novel (I've yet to read any of his others), Nix's narrative voice in Sabriel is mediocre--not outright bad, but cumbersome and amateur. It's chock full of awkward adverbs, uses a relatively small vocabulary (sometimes repeating words or phrases in consecutive sentences), and is altogether unexceptional. It feels like a first draft: all of the pieces are present, but the storytelling which ties them together is simply artless. As a result, the book begins slowly and feels like something of a disappointment before the plot gets going.

Thankfully, when the plot does get going, the book comes into itself--and it is a strong, original story. From the safety of school to the Old Kingdom across the Wall, journeying from her father's home to the ruin of a great city, Sabriel is a questing story of epic scope. The quest is feels realistically long and dangerous (but never drags), and the premise, challenges, and climax come together in a strong and intriguing plot. Sabriel and her companions draw the novel's epic quest back to a human level, and Sabriel in particular is a lovely character--strong, gifted, but not without fault, she is an inspiring and interesting character. Rising above all the rest is the setting: I don't often read high fantasy, but Sabriel reimagines the genre, doing away with common elements and reinventing magic as a complex, creative science which has been tainted by the encroaching presence of death. At once magical escapism and dark dystopia, the setting is intriguing and it sets this book apart: it is higher than the average young adult (urban) fantasy novel and more unique than the average high fantasy novel.

Because of the writing style, I was initially disappointed by Sabriel; I still have my reservations about the novel, and I wish it were more polished and mature. Nonetheless, I'm glad that I pushed through my initial disappointment, and I found Sabriel engaging and enjoyable. I will probably go on to read more of Garth's novels and this series, because the setting in particular captured my imagination. I recommend it, in particular to fantasy readers, who may love this change of pace, and to young women, who may find inspiration and companionship in the character of Sabriel.

"Sabriel" is the first installment in the award-winning Abhorsen trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Garth Nix. Originally released in 1995, this reprint paperback edition published by HarperCollins hit the stores in April 2008.

I can't believe that I hadn't discovered Garth Nix before now. He has been prolific in the young adult and children's fantasy genre. This particular young adult novel is dripping with magic, suspense, danger, and adventure on every page.

Sabriel is a teenage girl who grew up while attending boarding school in Ancelstierre, the country on the side of the Wall where magic does not reign. However, as she comes of age, she must return to the role predestined for her by birthright, thrusting her into the midst of magic and danger in the Old Kingdom. She must quickly learn to walk the veil between life and death, in order to protect and preserve the land of the living from that of the dead.

"Sabriel had to enter Death, albeit briefly, to call and converse with the guide. ... But who knew what might be lurking, watching, in the cold river beyond.

Sabriel stood for a minute, shivering, listening, every sense concentrated, like some small animal that knows a predator hunts nearby."

Though the main character is female, there are also intriguing male characters interwoven throughout the plot, and I think that this series will also appeal to the male youth population. The question is whether or not the story of transcending the lands of life and death might be appealing to individual readers. According to the storyline, those who cross over from death can be dead creatures of various hierarchical standings, ranging from mindless zombies controlled by necromancers to independent and self-directed Greater Dead and Free Magic creatures. Though I am not traditionally a fan of zombie-type stories myself, I admit that I found this layered structure of the dead and the magical fantasy realm described in the this story more captivating than I had anticipated.

I have to admitt that I read the second two books in the trilogy first; Lireal and Abhorsen. Even so, I found that this story was delightfully entertaining on it's own. The perfect amount of action and romance. This novel is more like an epic than anything I have ever read. A good read for adults and teens alike. And if you are looking for any flaws in Nix's masterpiece then you will be very disappointed. Enjoy!

I love Garth Nix. As far as fantasy writers go, he's pretty awesome. In addition to insanely original stories, Nix's eye for detail is astounding. The world building within his novels (any of his novels) is a sight to behold.

Sabriel is the first book I read by this author. Rounding out at 489 pages in the paperback edition, this book is long. And, it's best said now, the text is dense. Totally worth every minute, but an involved read nonetheless. So, although I adore this book, before I even get into the review, I suggest that readers looking for shorter books by Nix (or books to give a younger reader) take a look at his "Keys to the Kingdom" series (starting with Mister Monday) which is geared more towards older children/young adults than a YA/adult audience (which is the target group I'd pick for this novel if anyone asked me).

Sabriel lives in a world divided, quite literally, by the Wall. To one side lies the Old Kingdom, realm of magic and much else besides. On the other side lies Ancelstierre, a world not dissimilar from our own of the late 1800s/early 1900s. Born in the Old Kingdom, Sabriel knows of the Charter magic that binds all things. Latest in a long line of Abhorsens, Sabriel also knows more than most about death. One day, eighteen-year-old Sabriel, like her father, will become an Abhorsen--a necromancer. But instead of raising the dead, Abhorsens put the dead to rest. Or, if that fails, bind them where they cannot return to Life.

When her father, the Abhorsen, becomes trapped in Death--a dangerous river few can find and fewer walk away from--Sabriel has to leave the relative shelter of her boarding school across the Wall in order to assume her rightful duties as the next Abhorsen and save her father, and perhaps many others, from the dead that would keep him and claim the world of the living for themselves.

This story is rife with action and suspense. Along the way it even has some humor and romance. And, of course, a fair bit of very well-managed fantasy is thrown into the bargain.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Nix is a masterful writer. Every word feels vital to the narrative as a whole. Each sentence is evocative. Frankly, when people talk about reading being an experience, Sabriel is the kind of book they're talking about: the writing here is so good that it isn't just read, it really is experienced.

Originally published in 1995, Sabriel is the first book in Nix's Abhorsen Trilogy followed by Lirael (2001) and Abhorsen (2003) as well as a related novella in Across the Wall, a collection of short stories from 2005. Although this novel sets up all of the events and characters of the subsequent novels in the trilogy, this book does stand alone. Of the three, it's really the only one that can be read without the other parts and remain coherent and satisfying (the other books rely heavily on previous events and the second one does have a cliffhanger). Regardless of where it fits in the trilogy and how the novels inter-relate, Sabriel remains one of the best books I have read. Ever.

H.G. Bissenger's book Friday Night Lights is a non-fiction account of a football team in Odessa, Texas spanning the decade of the 1980s. A once financially successful town dependent on oil revenues, Odessa's fate makes an about turn as profits dwindle, families face bankruptcy, and the crime rate climbs, far exceeding the national average. Enter the Permain Panthers football team, a group that seems to be defying all odds, proving that determination and grit can bring hope and success to this small town. It goes without saying that just as surely the team can also bring the town to its knees if it fails to win the State Championship.

At an early age, children are indoctrinated into the faith known as the Permian High School Panthers Football Team, a religion that is followed just as fervently as any other. Boys pray that they will rise to the challenge and become the next star of the Pantheon Panthers, while girls dream of becoming a "Pipette," a glorified indentured servant whose sole obligation is to meet the needs of an adoring, or as the case may sometimes be, un-adoring, football player. When they shine, the players are treated much like Greek gods, but like those gods, their reign is brief, landing some in their own version of Hades.

Bissenger follows several players, and their coach, as they travel on a journey to the State Finals. Along the way, the star player, Boobie, sustains a knee injury and learns the hard way that not only is he expendable, but that all privileges once extended to him are no longer afforded. This is made abundantly clear when the once promising star realizes that he is now actually required to attend class to receive a passing grade. While some players do show academic promise, most are unprepared for the rigors ahead of them in the real world. These players live in an eery twilight zone, reinforced by adults obsessed with winning the next Friday night's game. Along with portraits of the players, Bissenger offers a sympathetic portrayal of the coach who tries to create a winning team against the backdrop of adolescent angst, and families struggling to stay intact against a rising tide of economic and emotional woes.

Bissenger doesn't focus his reporting solely within the boundaries of the football field, he also examines how football dominance intersects all other aspects of town governance. Bissenger explains how Permian High School, once the bastion of white middle and upper-middle-class families, gerrymanders town lines so that it can pick and choose its star athletes from less privileged areas. He also reports on how funding is disproportionately spent on the football team; making scholastic achievement a secondary function of the school system. Bissenger takes us to a court proceeding where a judge is asked to rule on whether a star athlete with a questionable passing grade in algebra is qualified to play in the next game. By the time you reach this point in the book, you will fully understand that in Odessa, a town where winning a game is everything, judgment will always favor the athlete. Whether the Panthers succeed in becoming champions or not, in the end, the season is over, the old players move on, and new players replace the old, and for a brief moment, they too are stars.

Quill says: A tale of the American Dream gone awry. A fantastic book.

This is my pick for the best sports book ever written, and the reason is because it transcends sports. It captures the mood and feel of small town America as well as any book since Larry McMurtry's The LAST PICTURE SHOW. What Bissinger describes about the so-called pinnacle of life in western Texas, playing for the local team, applies just as well to high school athletes in Ohio or Pennsylvania. The flip side, of course, is once the ride is over, so is your worth to the community.

Great, great read.

Since I am not into football, this book was a long read for me. It could have been halved and the story complete.

Not sure what was worse, reading this 'item' or pounding my head against a concrete wall. It has received much fan-fare, and I don't know why, it's best described as...trite.

Friday Night Lights
A Town, A Team, and A Dream
By H.G. Bissinger

By Cael Kiess

H.G. Bissinger spent over a year getting to know the people of Odessa, Texas. During that year he spoke with Permian football players, their families, and Odessa citizens in his attempt to write a book that told the story of how one team of teenage kids could inspire an entire town. Bissinger, an American journalist, has won the Pulitzer Prize, the Livingston Award, the National Headliner Award, and the American Bar Association's Silver gavel for his reporting. He is also the author of A Prayer for the City, and is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. Bissinger did a great job accomplishing his goal of reliving the wild journey of the 1988 Permian football season and the struggles off the field. He vividly portrays the racism through schools in Odessa County, the oil booms, typical school days of Permian football players, the Mojo Fanatics, and Friday Nights in late August. One chapter, "The Watermelon Feed," really describes the passion and devotion of Permian football fans and Mojo Fanatics. Bissinger writes, "The faithful sat on little stools of orange and blue under the lights of the high school cafeteria, but the setting didn't bother them a bit. Had the Watermelon Feed been held inside a county jail, or on a sinking ship, or on the side of a craggy mountain, they would still have flocked to attend and support their team." This description allows me to feel like I'm actually there and helps me sense the amount of pride and dedication given to Permian football by the fans. He also gives a second look farther into the town of Odessa, off the football field, enhancing a better view of what was occurring in the town of Odessa and its neighboring towns. There were many highlights and struggles happening in the streets and classrooms that one would not be able to find out in just the movie. One weakness of the book is the possible effect of losing the reader through the ongoing descriptions and passages of events, people, and struggles in Odessa. There is not as much of the actual football games incorporated into the book as one would think from watching the movie. In the book, Bissinger does a marvelous job describing the life and events of the 1988 Permian football players and the Mojo fans.

This book has three parts. First, Alan Greenspan tells us about his background, schooling, associations, intellectual influences, and business career. Then he tells us about his public life, from unpaid campaign aide to Nixon in 68 to chairman of the Federal Reserve for 18 years, ending in 2006. Finally, he explains his economic thinking, and how he envisions the world through 2030.
The first part is lively. We see him as a young man playing the saxophone professionally in a big band before falling in love with math and later econometrics, while hanging out with people like Ayn Rand. Contrary to what the Times' critic is quoted as saying on the back cover, Alan Greenspan does not gossip. The people we meet in his autobiography are there for their influence on his thinking.
What stands out about his involvement in government is his assessment of the 8 US presidents he interacted with, from Nixon to Bush-43, and the two that come out on top are Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton, the latter for his steady focus on economic policy.
One requirement of his job as chairman of the Federal Reserve was to make long-winded, cagey public pronouncements that would meter out a calculated dose of information without spooking the markets. Greenspan himself calls it "fedspeak," and, while the first two parts of the book are free of it, the third is written in it.
There are paragraphs you have to read several times to understand whether he expects a particular metric to go up or down. "Significantly" and "perceptibly" are used so often you end up skipping over them, and everything is impersonal. Translated into fedspeak, "Chinese workers keep prices down by accepting low wages" becomes "There is disinflationary pressure due to low labor costs." His most quoted phrase "irrational exuberance" is described as just happening, not as anything anybody felt.
If Greenspan has any reservations about the validity of metrics like the GDP, the CPI, or the Dow-Jones, he does not share them with the reader. I wish he had.

As a staunch advocate of free-market capitalism and deregulation, Greenspan has captured and reasoned the core economic beliefs and values he holds in this book - democracy coupled with capitalism improves quality of life.

The first half of the book took us through Greenspan's journey from a child of being obsessed with keeping baseball statistics, to a Julliard music student and finally becoming the Chairman of FRS. Greepspan touched on his relationships with the Presidents he had served and gave a personal recounts of the crisis he had gone through.

The second half of the book is an analysis on the working of economics and politics in the United States, as well as Russia, South America, China and other countries in Asia. Each page is full of insightful information.

It is especially interesting to read it in the midst of election campaign, financial crisis and economic downturn, when skeptics of free-market, critics of deregulation and talks of protectionism begin to emerge. This book is like someone next to me explaining why we should not let a crisis to discredit the good things that free-market capitalism has brought upon us.

The first part -- after the intro -- is a very engaging story of the winding path that lead him to macro economics and his role in trying to keep the wheels from coming off the world's biggest capitalist economy. He does not appear to be trying to inflate his own successes or to blame others for recessions. He has a unique perspective on Washington, D.C. The first part moves right along. It helps you to understand that no one has perfect knowledge or a crystal ball for the U.S. or world economy. Also, that the tools that the Fed has to guide the U.S. economy are not precise.

The second part moves a bit slower as he gives some background on capitalism and covers the economies of specific countries. He still has a unique perspective and great insights, but a U.S. reader does not know the players as well.

I listened to the book and the narrator was very good. He did a great job with Mr. Greenspan's wry humor. I might listen to the first part of the book again. Recommended. If you have never taken a class in macro econ, it might be hard to follow. On the other hand, it is a lot more engaging than a macro textbook, so maybe it is a good place to start. (I took macro in 1975 or '76. In 2008 macro might be sexy.)

If you are in college, by all means take an introductory econ class with the best professor you can find, and then take macro. It is not easy stuff, but you will learn a lot more about how the world really works than you would learn in any other class for the same time and effort.

This is an outstanding book by any standard. One might contest and even bitterly oppose some of the policies that Greenspan firmly believes in and passionately advocates in the book, but every page clearly brings out the rich experience and clarity of thought of the Maestro of US central banking.

It is a refreshing feeling to read the pages, written in straight forward and simple text, demystifying the complex world of economics and finance. This is a book for the man on the main street as well as for the analyst on Wall Street.

Greenspan starts with the story of the 9/11 attack, when he gets the news from his security staff and his aircraft had to return to Switzerland, since the US airspace was closed. The role of the Fed, and his position as Chairman of the most important financial institution of the United States of America, to steer the country and the world during such crisis is often underestimated.

Greenspan is a firm believer in the "invisible hand" of free markets, as propounded by Adam Smith in his classic "The Wealth of Nations" over two and a quarter centuries ago. The great Scottish economist would be pleased to read this book that explains how his theory has actually become a reality during the most prosperous times of planet earth.

For critics who are quick to point out that the current sub prime crisis, in most part is a creation of the Fed, I would recommend reading the chapter "Irrational Exuberance". Fed has its limitations, even if it can see overinflated asset prices and a frenzy that is unstoppable in markets that ignore good reasoning. Greed overrides sound economics. Just the reverse happens during the crash. Fear knows no limits and there is a stampede to get out of assets that looked so attractive just a few days ago. The Fed primarily restricts its role to monetary policies of determining interest rates and money supply to guide the economic activity to realistic and sustainable levels, with long term price stability. Markets, as free as they are will correct themselves, and have the resilience to absorb the aberrations. I am not sure of Greenspan's personal views on the recent economic bailout announced by the US Government. It is worthwhile to have an additional chapter in the next edition of this book or perhaps a separate book in itself.

Apart from the core topic of the Fed's role in the US and global economy, Greenspan also covers many other interesting topics that have significant global macroeconomic impact. Energy for example is one such where, the analysis of the current scenario and forecasts for meeting future needs in a cost effective and environmentally sustainable manner makes very good reading.

The deteriorating standards in teaching mathematics in primary and secondary schools in America is a topic that perhaps needs immediate attention if America has to maintain her lead in technology and innovation, the catalysts of productivity and economic growth.

In the final chapter Greenspan tries to forecast the US economy in 2030, based on his deep knowledge of economics and his personal experience as chairman of the Fed for nearly two decades. While he is cautiously optimistic that the US economy would be three fourths larger in 2030, he also us warns of some potential landmines that can disrupt the trajectory.

One may not fully agree with Greenspan, but would certainly begin to appreciate that free market economy, individual liberty and freedom, protection of property rights and democracy would be the nonnegotiable principles that would guide humanity towards global peace and prosperity in the twenty-first century.

Five star rating for every page of the book.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R20DIAJDJEAJ0E Tadd Wood's review was made as part of a critical review assignment for the Fall 2008 Honors Colloquium on Creative Destruction at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, taught by Art Diamond. (The course syllabus stated that part of the critical review assignment consisted of the making of a video recording of the review, and the posting of the review to Amazon.)

If you want a great insight into the problems this country has with the Middle East and crude oil pick up this book. This man knows his stuff and has written it down for you to read. This book will open your eyes and clarify a lot of things that you watch on TV and read in the media. Educate yourselves and become better citizens. Let Mr. Baer help you.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave a really honest view of the us-Saudi relationship. My only problem was the third chapter, the background, which was pretty useless in affecting the rest of the book.

I like how this books was non-partisan. Much better than "house of bush, house of saud." i would recommend this book. Though it could of been a little longer.

This book so fasinated me that as I was finishing the last chapter, I was already on my way to pick up Baer's previous book, "See no Evil". I found Baer's story ringing true throughout and neither Republican or Democrate slanted. Moreover, if any negative is to be gleaned, it would likely be the reality of what has come with the need for fuel oil. See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism

* It's all about the oil. Obviously, were there no oil in the Saudi Peninsula, the have-nothings would have no reason to resent the billionaire princes. The Royal family pays off the radicals to avoid massive revolts. 'Let them eat cake,' as Marie Antoinette once said. Without these petrol-dollar pay-offs from Royalty, the extremists would have no money to arm and indoctrinate their young. Without petrol-financing, the fundamentalists would have hardly any means to carry out coordinated operations.

* Several factions within Saudi Arabia--the Wahhabis, the Shi'as, the Muslim Brothers, among others--pursue the formable goal to bring down the West--including the Al Sa'ud royalty because of its U.S. alliance.

* The House of Sa'ud is corrupt, decadent, incompetent, and perhaps far beyond redemption after more than forty years of its tyrannie royale , making Louis XIV seem like a nice guy.

* The truth is often a tough pill to swallow. U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East has resulted in terrorist attacks like 9/11.
o The White House's policy to support the Al Sa'ud regime has contributed directly to the various terrorist attacks over the last fifteen years with bombings: starting in 1995 with the National Guard barracks, and less than a year later, al-Khobar, the U.S.S. Cole, the World Trade Tower basement, among others.
o The Petroleum industry has bought up so much of Washington that elected officials don't see any alternatives to--energy or foreign--policies further than their own wallets fattened by Middle Eastern bribes.

... and one more reason to be angry an the gas pump. This book was much better. or should I say revealing than I thought it was going to be. Mr. Baer's knowledge of the subjects and the way he weaves the reader through this tangled web of money. oil. backroom deals, blind eyes turned against the actions of our so-called "allies", and the way Washington politics works is a true wake-up call. The book is jammed with information and is kind of like a tell-all, revealing many of our leaders as just more powerful people who are looking out for their own interests while everyone else is getting bent over. The book would probably need to be read a couple of times to truly understand all the information.

I am giving it 5 stars even though the book really pissed me off. What I don't know is what I am most angry at? That part of my gas money will find its way over to the Middle East, or that we Americans are truly trapped by our dependence on foriegn oil, or that just about every politician who is someone (and many of the high ranking employees of the government) are in the pockets of the Saudi's and/or Big Oil, or that other than a few cars sold, many manufacturers still refuse to develop cars with better mpg. Hey Ford, GMC and Chevy, you know why you keep having losses year after year and are losing out to Toyota? It is because you have not designed a dependable, efficient fleet of cars most people want.

Back to the book. Everyone interested in Washington politics, the energy crisis, etc. should read this book. It may just make you mad, but getting mad may just be the first step to action. By the way, I just sold my gas guzzling SUV.

This book is that last in the Anne of Green Gables series. I love L. M. Montgomery's style and all the interesting characters she creates. It is neat in the sense that she uses some of her own experiences to create story plots. It is true that Anne isn't a major character, but the title is RILLA of Ingleside, so that's why. I was a little disappointed concerning the ending, but all over, it was a very enjoyable book! I've read all of the Anne books, and am sorry that there are no more to read!

-V

Rilla of Ingleside is one of my favorite books in all of fiction! The only ones that are topping it are Anne of the Island and Anne of Green Gables. I have read all of the Anne of Green Gables series and cried when I finished Rilla of Ingleside, because it was the last book! (I also cried in some parts in the book, too. Who couldn't?)

Rilla (her real name is Bertha Marilla, named after Anne's mother and Marilla Cuthbert of Green Gables) is the youngest of Anne and Gilbert's children. When the book begins, nobody at Ingleside can imagine the horrors that are going to take place in their lives. Rilla is almost fifteen at the begining of the book. When she is at the Four Wind dance with her brothers and sisters and the Meredith clan, they hear that England has just declared war on Germany. (This book is set during World War I.) Rilla is then swept into a drama that changes her forever.

Rilla's brother, Jem, and Jerry Meredith leave for the war. Rilla's other brothers, Walter and Shirley, along with another one of the Meredith boys, Carl, soon follow for the sake of Canada and mankind, as Walter says "That is what we're fighting for." One of my favorite characters in this book is Walter, and, as someone else said on one of the reviews, "Who doesn't love Walter?"

Kenneth Ford (the son of Anne's friend Leslie Moore) also leaves for the war after a good-bye call at Ingleside. If the series went on, I am pretty certain that Rilla and Ken would marry.

Rilla "adopts" a war baby during the absence of her brother Jem and names him Jims Anderson. His real name is James Kitchener Anderson, and Susan insists on calling him "Little Kitchener". He is one of the highlights of this wonderful story.

Old Susan Baker is the "full time maid and cook" at Ingleside, and I assure you that this book would not at all be the same without her! She keeps everybody cheerful, and when the Ingleside folks get up in the night because of the War, she fixes them a nice cup of tea. During the war, Susan says that "the Huns shall never set foot in Prince Edward Island as long as I can handle a pitchfork"! Every time I read this book, Susan has me laughing with all the funny things she says and does!! She definitely provides much entertainment!!! :-)

Rilla is a true heroine. She is the daughter of that wonderful red-haired Anne Shirley. Rilla came straight from Lucy Maud Montgomery's wonderful imagination. This is one of those books that you just can't ever forget -- a book that you can keep coming back to again and again. Lucy Maud Montgomery depicts things with a talent like no other author. She can make it come alive. In this book, you see Rilla as a frivolous, vain girl being transformed into a beautiful, kind, and patient young woman.

This book has a wonderful ending, I assure you. Like I said, it is one of my favorites! If you have not read it yet, you are definitely missing out!! :-) I do not see how anybody could not like this masterpiece!

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope that it has been very helpful to you. - P. Charles

I don't think this book is suitable for children. It is bloody, gory and depressing and teaches a hatred of Germans that is hardly approbriate. It is completely set at the homefront during World War I. Anne does not play a role in it, except as a more or less random person. It is all about the heroics of Canadians fighting in Europe and the women back home, with Rilla taking center stage. While I have no doubt that they all were very heroic and this book might have been written as a tribute to them, it is utterly out of date and often offensive with its patriotic propaganda. It is extremely simplistic and I shutter at the thought, that people acutally will take this for the history of WWI. It falls completely out of line with the other Anne of Green Gables books, it has none of the lightness and spirit. If Montgomery wanted to write a tribute to the heroes of WWI, it would have been better to create new characteres for it and not abuse the characters of the Anne books. My recommendation is not to read this book, it doesn't add to the Anne of Green Gables books but rather distracts from it.

I am 13 years old, and have read all the Anne books. My grandfaher gave me a copy of Anne of Avonlea when I was little, but I didn't show the slightist bit of interest at the time. A few years later, I thought I'd pick it up. After I picked it up, my world would never be the same! I had become an Anne fanatic! I fell in love with the book, couldn't put it down, and I hardly ever did. I couldn't wait to begin the next books and the one I was really looking forwad to was Rilla of Ingleside. When I got to Rilla, Walter was already my favorite charecter(who doesn't love Walter!?), so I was looking forward to hearing more about him.
The story is of Rilla growing up and trying to make it through each day as WW1 seems to never end(I can't imagine how that must have felt, my prayers are with all who have loved ones over seas!). This is a magnificent book! WORTH READING 101%! I cried hopelessly! I love crying during books!:) Anyone who has never read this is missing out! Touching, tear-jerker, lovely, beautiful, and a must have for all book lovers!

The first three installments in the "Anne of Green Gables" series have to some of the most wonderful, enchanting, all-around greatest books I have ever read. L.M Montgomery has done an absolutely splendid job bringing to life the red-headed girl with a fiery temper to match, but the farther I progressed into the series, the more disappointed I became. For me, the series became monotonous and depressing; the war kills Anne's beloved child, and I cannot help but despair in the numerous times Anne is mentioned with streaks of gray hair, and wrinkles in her face. This is not the lively girl of Avonlea I have come to so dearly love. So, my advice to you would be to read the first three books, and the first part of the 5th, for the end of the series should not overshadow its timeless, and inexpressibly wonderful beginning.

I own several of Robin Robertson's cookbooks, but this one is my favorite. It is, in fact, my favorite cookbook period. Everything I have ever made from it has turned out well and been eaten happily by children. There is no higher cookbook praise than that. This book is so exhaustive in its repertoire that there is always something for any occasion. I also like (and use) the many sauces and dairy replacements (like the creamy whipped topping and egg-and-butterless hollandaise) even if I'm not making something specific from the book. This cookbook is exhaustive in scope so it is my go-to for just about everything. It even prompted me to write a fan email to the author which I haven't done since, gee, I don't think I've ever written a fan letter to anyone before Robin. If you want a good vegan cookbook then look no further, buy this book.

Everything I've made from this book rocked (especially the black bean and sweet potato curry!), but I'm missing a substantial number of pages. I don't have the recipe for vegan pesto, for instance. I was rather disappointed by that fact, but the food's pretty good otherwise.

When I need to just thumb through a big book and find something new and different to try, this is the book I choose. It has plenty of recipes and it covers a fairly broad spectrum.

But nothing here really floats my boat. I think because it is too broad. Very few of the recipes I've tried are exceptional and a lot of the recipes are filler that I know I'll never make and don't know anyone who would.

Overall it is a very solid cookbook with more than enough recipes to get you going and help you figure out what your particular vegan niche might be. Sort of like vegan with training wheels.

I have tried about 10 recipes so far and each one has been fantastic, esp. the black bean & sweet potato enchiladas and the black bean chili with cilantro pesto. Amazing!!! The recipes are a bit time-consuming but worth every minute!! Love it!

Ok first of all- I am a vegetarian/ aspiring vegan that doesn't have the time to write reviews.
But for anyone who is willing and open minded enough to go vegan- this book is one you will reference for years to come. I am the kind of cook who opens three cookbooks and pick what I like from the recipes and create my own concoctions- and this is the basis of all my thoughts.
I live in Germany- and don't speak german so it's difficult to find weird ingredients- well this cookbook is one you can find many recipes that don't call for nutritional yeast, miso- or seitan. Although I have now claimed seitan as my favorite gyro meat!!!!!
To those of you who are being compassionate mindful eaters- my children thank you :)

That it certainly is, all 762 pages of text buttressed by 188 additional pages of notes and indices. Yet with all this heft and obvious scholarship, "Stonewall Jackson" is a bit much. It's too long! To be concise, there is FAR too much detail here. Whole sections of pages could have been truncated by that proverbial stern editor with a sharp blue pencil. (Most of those guys were laid off long ago). One gets the distinct impression self-indulgence emanating from author Robertson. Even some great battle action is drowned out in details-details-details. The formatting of pages and paragraphs is also difficult here, though perhaps the publisher had few alternatives. This admitted mapophile was satisfied with the mapping in "Stonewall". A nice touch is the placement of a map index, allowing readers to bookmark. An interesting turn here is Professor Robertson's apparent attitude toward Jackson. The General was a difficult, stiff-necked guy. He was secretive and single-minded, a harsh disciplinarian and critical of colleagues. If there was a Stonewall Fan Club, would the good professor join up? This reviewer was reminded of another author of lengthy tomes: Robert Caro. RC has produced 3 bios of President Lyndon Johnson, none of them highly complimentary. The final call here is that "Stonewall Jackson" is not recommended for anyone but the most avid Stonewall or Civil War aficionados. Others may wish to choose another Stonewall offering-or wait for the paperback. Why the 4 stars above? This is a case of "A" for effort. Imagine the effort Professor Robertson put forth here. For that alone, the man should take a bow.

This may be the best book I have ever read. It's detailed, thorough, yet very readable. You will know virtually everything there is to know about Stonewall Jackson by the time you finish reading this book.

I have several relatives who fought under Jackson and was a bit reluctant to read this book. Robertson is the premier historian of the Army of Northern Virginia and I thought this would be deification of Jackson. I was so wrong. Robertson has written THE definative work on Stonewall Jackson. Going back in his family history had my interest from the start.
Robertson does a wonderful job of looking at Jackson-warts and all. He brings out all of Jackson and explains so many aspects of him and is certaintly not an apoligist. Without a doubt, Jackson was one of the most complex people to don an American uniform, next to Patton. When he was one his game he was briliant-such as The Valley Campaign, Second Bull Run or Chancellorsville. But When he was cold he was horrible-such was First Kernstown or the Pennicula Campaign. Robertson tells the story as it was, without excuses. If you want to really know the great Stonewall-read Robertsons book.

This is a great book that helps its readers understand how a poor orphan from Virginia became arguably the greatest general in American history.

If it were possible, I would give this wonderful book twelve stars. Not only is it the best book on the Civil War that I have ever read, but outside of the Holy Scriptures it is the best biography I have ever read period. The work of writing a good biography requires an author of extraordinary gifts. He or she must not only be a painstaking researcher who does not mind wading through the minutia of an endless sea of details, but they must also be able to take those details and weave them into a fluid and interesting story that is vivid while not getting bogged down in the small stuff. To put it another way, the author must give enough detail to be clear and sharp, but he must not lose the forest for the trees. On all of these levels James I. Robertson's landmark work "Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend" triumphs and succeeds marvelously. But what makes this biography so astounding is that Robertson has given us far more than a narrative set of true facts about a heroic man named Thomas Jonathan Jackson, he has given us the man himself. I knew nothing about General Jackson until I saw the film "Gods and Generals", but after viewing that movie I knew I had a new hero (Robertson himself was a historical consultant on that film, by the way). When I read Robertson's biography I realized that, like the queen of Sheba when she met King Solomon, not the half had been told. Robertson hits the nail on the head by recognizing that if you would understand Stonewall Jackson, you must discern that he was first and foremost a soldier of the cross of Jesus Christ. Robertson himself is a professing Christian and so has unique insight into Jackson that many other biographers' lack. I will never have the privilege of meeting Jackson in this present age, but as I read this book I felt that I came as close to knowing Jackson personally as I ever can in this lifetime. I saw in him a kindred spirit. Having lost an infant of my own I could relate to his pain in the loss of two infants and his first wife, but I could also relate to the grace of God and the faith in Christ that sustained him through it all. Jackson and I share the same Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Stonewall is my brother in the Lord across the sands of time. We share the same Calvinism as well. I found myself relating to his sense of social awkwardness and wanting to emulate his devotion to duty in many ways. Like all of us Jackson was a sinner, a man with large warts and gaping flaws. Forgiveness of others did not come easy to him; he placed loyalty to state above loyalty to family, sometimes not allowing men under his command to go home to bury dead wives and children. You will not find near as much of the noble patience that Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain demonstrated towards his men residing in Jackson. Yet, under his tough and well-disciplined exterior beat the heart of a man who was tender and affectionate towards his wife and baby, who loved to play with children, and whose tender prayers to his God were not soon forgotten. When I came to the chapter that describes Jackson's death following on the heels of his victory at Chancellorsville, I literally began to weep with tears spilling down my cheeks. The image of all those Confederate soldiers pulling off their hats and holding them over their hearts in honor of Jackson's widow when she first stepped away from his death bed is indelibly stamped on my mind. Why did I weep? Because through Robertson's biography, I had found a dear friend and brother in Christ. And when I read of his death, I felt that I was losing a personal friend. Thank you, Professor Robertson, for your eight and a half years of research and for all of your labors. Thank you for introducing me to a friend and hero, Thomas Jonathan Jackson. Our fourth son is named "Thomas Jackson", but we call him "Jackson". And in regards to General Jackson, we have never met, but we shall meet by and by when our Lord and Savior comes again to take His people home. Thomas Jackson, "Bud" Robertson, and myself shall spend eternity side by side with all of God's people throughout all of time worshiping our crucified and risen Savior.

Pastor Marion "Pat" Robertson reminds me of the Apostle Saul "Paul" of Tarsus. Seriously! Paul would always say, "Miracles can be yours, today!"--Pat Robertson's exact words. But first came Paul's very long sermon, and the offering plate.

The Apostle Paul, like my friend Pat, could talk about Hell until the cows came home, and left again, and came home again, and he usually did. His favourite preaching text is the same one Pat writes about in "Miracles can be yours" --how it is better for a man to enter into Heaven with one empty eye-socket, and with one hand amputated, and with one foot amputated, and with both testicles removed, and with half a brain, than to be thrown with a whole body into Hell, where every body part shall be gnawed by worms and burned by liquid fire, for ever and ever (Mark 9:43-49).

But when the sermon was finally over - sometimes two, three days after he started - Paul would stretch out his arms, and say: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I shall give you rest." Those who wished to receive eternal salvation formed a line on the right. Those who were sick or handicapped, and who wished to be made well even if God threw their complete body into Hell to be gnawed by worms and be burnt by fire, were told to form a line on the left, and Paul would heal them.

While trained spiritual counselors handled the line on the right, the Apostle Paul processed the shorter line on the left, which was really the main show; and many people who were already born again stayed in their seats to watch it, just as if it were a big modern healing show on CBN television. If a person had, let's say, a severe sore throat, Paul would lay one hand on the head of the person and say, "Behold, in seven days thou shalt be whole!" and a week later, the person would be just fine.

Sometimes it came even quicker. I remember one lady, 60-ish, a solemn and stocky Greek widow dressed all in black - this was just south of Athens - who, when it was her turn to be healed, whispered something in the apostle's ear. And Paul (somewhat louder, perhaps, than he intended, because I could hear it all the way in the back of the tent) announced: "Behold, thy hemorrhoid is gone. Go in peace!" And of course, no one actually checked it out, so there was no immediate proof, but from the expression on the woman's face as she hurried out, it truly seemed to me as if she would experience complete relief as soon as she got out of there.

I never saw that particular miracle duplicated until a 1981 evangelistic crusade in Philadelphia, when Pat Robertson announced a cure for everyone in the entire audience who was suffering that night from painful burning and itching due to hemorrhoidal tissue - which I thought was one of the most thoughtful things that Pat Robertson ever did, to heal the itching of others like that, without first healing his own, even though he could not stop thinking about it! And all of the older Christians who were there in Philadelphia that night, and who were healed, said the same thing: "So long as we have the Rev. Pat Robertson, who needs Preparation H?"

When Beelzebub heard what the elderly Christians of Philadephia were saying about Pat's crusade for hemorrhoid relief, he made a joke about it. He said: "Where is Pat Robertson when you need him most? -- he's nowhere in sight!"

- L.

I'm not a person who likes to read, but I couldn't put this book down. It was very insightful and encouraging!! I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to see miracles in their lives. The Lord has not stopped performing miracles!! I plan to read this book by Mr. Robertson again very soon.

The book is hard to put down as it leads us through countless examples of how "nothing is impossible for our God!" I loved it especially for reminding me of the years I grew spiritually along with Pat and his ministry. The best chapters are the last where he details how the power of the Holy Spirit is available to every believer.

If you are already a Pat Robertson type Christian looking for a warm and fuzzy then this book is for you, if you are looking for substantive and meaningful reading then save your money.

Good grief !!!!! This is the same Crack-pot that claims that god talks to him.
Reports have shown that "Predicting events for the coming year is an annual tradition for Robertson."

In May, Robertson said God told him that storms and possibly a tsunami were to crash into America's coastline in 2006. Even though the U.S. was not hit with a tsunami, Robertson on Tuesday cited last spring's heavy rains and flooding in New England as partly fulfilling the prediction.

"I have a relatively good track record," he said. "Sometimes I miss."

What dose it mean "sometimes I miss" didn't he assert that god was talking to him??? It must have been a bad connection.

There is no way anyone can make Pat Robertson look worse than he already does to himself.

From the host of the 700 Club comes Miracles Can Be Yours Today, a complete motivational how-to guide based on Pat Robertson's immensely popular television show. Covering everything from nutrition basics, common training mistakes, and powerful mental strategies to specialized training for your body type and the 22 best machine exercises, Miracles Can Be Yours Today appeals to men and women of all ages, from beginner to advanced fitness enthusiast--anyone who desires a stronger, firmer, and shapelier body but does not have the know-how to achieve it. In order to help explain exercises step-by-step, Miracles Can Be Yours Today contains more than 200 photos by the best physique and exercise photographers in the industry. Pat Robertson is a true fitness and motivation authority who has helped thousands reach their absolute best. Let him show you the way to achieve incredible, lifetime-lasting results in the quickest way possible. Pat Robertson lectures throughout the world on fitness, motivation, and high-level success principles. He has worked with such fitness legends as Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Steve Reeves, Lou Ferrigno, Charles Taylor, and Mobutu Sese Seko.

One of the true great adventures of our time. A great read for all of us 'Walter Mitty' types who dream of doing such things but never find the time or have the ability or courage to do so. A wonderful story.

My father gave me this book when I was 16 and I loved it. Totally inspired me to travel. I asked my father for his boat when I finished the book but helas he didn't hand it over! He did however buy me a ticket around the world at 22yrs old and I spent a year and a half traveling around the world alone... London to London west. While I didn't sail, it was still an amazing trip, an incredible education and now back at work now saving for my boat. :-)

This non fiction story is filled with interesting adventure. A young boy setting off to sail the world. Finding new friendships, discovering beautiful places and falling in love with a girl that was raised not too far from his home in the U.S., yet met half way around the world. A very good read.

This was a very interesting book written by a man who at the age of 16 decided to sail around the world alone. The book describes his journeys and his feelings as he experienced life alone.
I believe this book is suitable for 8th through 12th graders based on conservative views of a parent. There is the use of swearing in the book so be aware of this before hand. I did appreciate the fact that the Lord Jesus led Robin to Him through his experiences. Would be interested to know how the family is doing now.

Get ready for an adventure, because in DOVE, Robin Lee Graham
Will take you into the life of a young man who in his little boat
That he will use to sail around the world.

This goy was outgoing, and set out to look for
adventure and love. Little did he know, this boy from San Pedro,
California, was about to make history. He will have to make many
Sacrifices, which for a while was bad.


Many people doubted him, but Robin was serious about
this trip. He also had many people supporting him. This lone
Sailor will face many obstacles at sea.

Follow Robin to places like Tahiti, Ala Wia, Hawaii,
Tutila, Apia, Tonga Islands, Florida Islands, South Africa ect.

So grab your gear, because in this trip, you will discover
The good, the bad and the better of sailing.


So come on, you can experience the unforgettable true
Life story of Robin Lee Graham only when you read DOVE.