Robertson Books

This is the best book on the topic that I have ever read!

Dr. McQuilkin's textbook on Christian Ethics is actually a very well-written development of the Ten Commandments for today. The book would be very acceptable to Reformed-Presbyterians, and other groups with strong Sabbatarian convictions.

However, I only give it 3 stars because it's not really a book about distinctively Christian ethics...Christian being defined as New Covenant ethics. There is no real acknowledgement that there are any other approaches to Christian ethics than the transposition of the Ten Commandments as such into the present era. There is no discussion of the greater redemptive framework within which ethics operates (Old vs. New Covenant). There is little discussion on how the shift from a political theocracy to an international faith-confessing body changes the ethical system we follow (e.g., the absence of land-references or any civil laws in the New Testament).

Although Dr. McQuilkin is a Baptist, his underlying assumption is that of covenant theology, and the way he handles O.T. law is almost Theonomic. Now, if you agree with that, then you'll think this book is fine. And it is a good book, well worth reading. But it fails to deal with most of the bigger theological issues underlying Christian ethics, and presupposes an approach that many Christians might not accept.

I know the author and he has my deepest respect. He practices what he preaches! I use this book for my adult Sunday School class and my students love it. The first six chapters are a must read; the rest is a handy and helpful resource. The scholarship is well-done, very practical, and thoroughly biblical.

This book is and answer to many questions one may have about ethics. Have a problem with some area of life, look it up in the index and the author helps you find the answers in the Bible. Sometimes a little preachy but mostly clear consice information you can share with others. Looks like a textbook but works great on the nightstand.

We live in a world where ethics are no longer a concern. What is sin one day is viewed as normal the next (see Massachusetts and its legalizing of gay marriages). Dr. McQuilkin gives the Christian a textbook on biblical ethics. His authority is not his opinion or his astute intelect but the inerrant Word of God.

There is hardly an issue that Dr. McQuilkin does not deal with from pornography, alcohol, abortion, war, politics, and homosexuality. He comes at each issue with one purpose and that is to examine what the Bible says about the issue. Sometimes that is easier said than done. However, Dr. McQuilkin always seeks to find a biblical understanding of ethics and disregards cultural values that change with the latest opinion polls.

This is just a silly little story about the "girl who grew up to be Lady Liberty", presupposing that she's not a statue, but an actual person.

She's born green and tall, and always does the right thing.

There's really not much to this book, and if you're short on funds you'll be better off with another one. But if you have the space in the library, or a special interest in the Statue of Liberty (I got this book for my nieces, who, living on Staten Island, think it's great fun to stand on chairs and pretend they're the statue!) I think it's worth the investment.

My preschooler has taken an interest in the Statue of Liberty. We live in NYC so we are fortunate enough to have Lady Liberty basically in our "backyard". In addition to visiting the statue, reading this book was a way to help our preschooler get to know the famous statue a little better on her level. Lots of fun!

I can't thank Chris Robertson enough for writing the book "Little Miss Liberty." I was at a Harry Potter book release party with my daughter "Liberty." I had to bring her with me so people didn't look at me funny thinking, what the heck is a 30+ year old women doing at a Harry Potter party. She was getting a little board so we went to the children's section and there is was front and center "Little Miss Liberty" on the shelf of Barns and Nobel. My Daughter instantly went for the book and asked me to read it to her. She is convinced that the book is just about her. "That's me when I was a baby" "I grow tall" "There's Mommy and Daddy" "My school," and so on...Every page I turned she had a remark for. It is so wonderful to she her have as much interest in books as me, even though she is three and can't read yet, but she recognizes her name when she sees it print.

I chuckled when I read the sentence "Always a child of independence..." because; more then once I have said I should have named her independence because she has to do things her way. But, most children her age have that characteristic.

I hope that Mr. Robertson will continue to write about adventures that Little Miss Liberty has and about the people that she welcomes to America. I think it would be a wonderful tool to teach my child about other cultures and diversity.

I sent the book to the publisher and requested it to be autographed. About 3 weeks later received a wonderful personal letter and a signed copy of the book from Chris Robertson. It means the world to me and our Family! We can't thank you enough!

I thought I would share with you how we came up with our Daughter's name. She was born shortly after 9/11/01 and my Husband and I decided to name her Liberty after the victims of that tragic day. Also, when we had our second Daughter we named her Justice.

Chris Robertson debut is an acomplishment. The story is educational but not overbearing. The art is original while keeping within the recognisable features of one of the most famous monuments in the world. All in all an excellent book! I would build a lesson plan off of it if I taught the right grade.

From the beginning, it is clear that Little Miss Liberty is a most unusual child. For one thing, she is partial to the color green. And she has a serious growth issue, gaining a foot or more of height each day. And as you can imagine, vast quantities of food are necessary to fill her up, a task that keeps Miss Liberty's parents hopping. Besides a decided penchant for the color green, Little Miss Liberty has quite an appetite for knowledge, reading everything she can, books, maps, cereal boxes and billboards. Even comic books. Because of her thirst for information, Little Miss Liberty is an excellent student, her hand raised high every time the teacher asks a question. But she is even more beloved, because Little Miss Liberty is a natural friend to all, especially anyone who feels different or misunderstood.

Although she always loved the city of her birth in France, Little Miss Liberty felt she had a special place in the world. Of independent mind, she set out to find it. Yet no matter where she traveled, nothing felt just right until she found a pedestal near a brilliant city surrounded by water. Happily climbing on to the pedestal, Little Miss Liberty lifted her torch, held it high and settled in for a long stay. She was home.

The story is illustrated by energetic drawings of Little Miss Liberty's astonishing birth and rapid growth, towering over her parents and other students, all in green. Sketches indicate the geography of other places, familiar monuments and terrains, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the pyramids, as Liberty treads the earth in search of her true home. The bright colors and simple text are perfect for introducing children to the importance of the Statue of Liberty, where the statue originated and what Liberty symbolizes.

This coming 4th of July will celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, so this book is a wonderful introduction for a child's early knowledge of history. His drawings reminiscent of the Madeline books and Curious George, Robertson offers a compelling journey from the concept of freedom and independence to the reality of a national monument. Chronicle Books. (Age 4 and up.) Luan Gaines/2005.

A great book no matter if your a huge fan that thinks you know EVERYTHING about the band or a newbie, its not a big info book its more a "this is what happened in this number of days" kinda book.

I was very disappointed with this book. I was hoping for an all access pass to the happenings of the band with some insights on the bands dynamics. Unfortunately, that was summed up in about 10 pages. If you already know that they fired their drummer, that they drank uncontrollably, Noel is Oasis, and Liam is an eccentric rock star there's no need to buy this book.
Robbo is no doubt a talented writer who uses flowery language and abstract excerpts and could surely write circles around other authors but he forgets what his book is about. I don't care that he was in the millitary or how hard it was to be a babysitter to Oasis. Tell me more about the band. If you want to know more about Oasis watch the Definitely Maybe DVD interviews or at worst the Live Forever DVD. You'll learn alot more about the inner workings of the band told by the band instead of by a disgruntled ex roadie.

Robertson gave this book to people as he saw the scenes of Oasis. With his candid first hand experiece of dealing with the Gallahgers, Robbo wrote about the highs and lows of the life he lived. He made us realize that fame might not be what most people think about it.

This book is very exciting...it is different than any other one I've read on Oasis. Told from the view point of Robbo, who was on tour with them, it has tons of back stage stories that you'll never find anywhere else. From Liam and Bonehead's talk about baths, to Robbo's endless fights with Liam....it's top all the way!

Ian Robertson's "What's the Story?" is a fascinating account of life with Oasis. Robertson focuses on his personal dealings with Oasis, instead of relying on the typical assumptions made about Oasis like most who have written about Oasis. Robertson, their former tour manager, delivers his story with a simple, honest, style that keeps you riveted as you see the Gallagher brothers swallowed by fame. Instead of slamming the band that eventually let him go, Robertson focuses on the respect he had for the talented and loyal Noel Gallagher, while allowing the reader insight into the bizzare emotional behavior of Liam. Robbo never directly attacks the younger Gallagher, he even notes that Liam has a caring side to him that is usually not present in most rock stars. However, Robbo still relives accounts of times that Liam's behavior drove Oasis to the edge. An excellent book, Robertson puts his heart and soul into telling the reader what life with Oasis was like for him without becoming overemotional and writing a biased, selfish book. (Which is what many in his position would have done.) Definitely five stars.

I didn't give this book a full 5 stars because the title of the book is misleading. I have all of this author's other cookbooks, and they're all very good. I got this one because I thought the recipes would be easy "one pot" meals. A lot of the recipes call for multiple pans while cooking for sauteing and sauces, hence making the title of the book false. I was looking for easy quick recipes, and these are not what I was looking for. Definitely NOT a one pan/pot cookbook. It also has a lot of obscure flavors in the recipes. If you're looking for quick, one pot comfort meals, this is not the book for you.

My 3 and 2 year old, as well as myself, have food intolerances to soy, dairy and gluten. On top of that I am vegetarian and my kids don't really like meat. So I have a heck of a time finding recipes! I came across this cookbook and was skeptical. But I purchased it on a whim. I am so happy I did!!! The recipes are phenomenal!

The author rarely uses cheese in any of the recipes. If she does, it is usually parma sprinkled on top and can easily be omitted. The pasta dishes can all be subbed for a gf pasta, such as Tinkyada. She has a ton of rice dishes and uses all fresh ingredients, which eliminates contamination of soy and gluten. Some recipes call for soy products. Those can either be easily subbed for meat (for you meat eaters out there) or ignored altogether as there are plenty of other recipes.

Some of my favorite recipes in the book are: Black Bean and Avocado Rice Salad, Waldorf Rice Salad, Bell Peppers Stuffed with Rice/Spinach/Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Rotelle with Spicy Pumpkin Sauce, and Green Beans and Rice with Sesame-Orange Sauce.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

I purchased this cookbook partly anticipating new and exciting recipes, partly anticipating it would join the other 40 cookbooks in my cupboard (covered in dust). What a fabulous surprise! So far, I haven't made anything I didn't like. The recipes are not too labor intensive, the ingredients are found at the local store - occasionally require a trip to Central Market.

As I get older, it is SO much easier to make one dish meals; less to clean up, less prep time. Experimenting with recipes from around the world spices things up as well- literally and figuratively. I highly recommend this title.

By the way, did I mention I don't like to cook?

Nearly ALL of my cooking falls into the "one-dish" category, because it's the easiest kind to cook up on a Sunday afternoon and freeze for meals throughout the coming week or month. So I was thrilled about this book. Most of it looks pretty good. The only thing that strikes me as odd is the massive chapter on pastas. I'm fairly sure I can figure out what to top pasta with. I wouldn't have minded if the suggestions were very original or of unique interest for vegans/vegetarians above and beyond the mere fact of being meatless... but they mostly weren't. However, I instantly forgave this when I reached the glorious chili chapter. No other book in my bloated cookbook collection pays such loving homage to the diverse possibilities of vegetarian chili. All I can say is Wow. I intend to try every single one of them. The chapters on baked dishes and stovetop simmers also look very promising from a make-ahead-and-freeze perspective.
One annoyance: ingredients that can only be found in specialty shops or ethnic groceries appear frequently. (I cook a LOT, and I have never heard of filé powder.) Fortunately, Robinson does acknowledge them, and frequently makes suggestions for less exotic substitutions or advises when you can do without them without detrimental effects on the flavor.
Overall, a book that I'm going to be spending a great deal of time with.

I purchased this book as a gift for a friend who had checked it out of the library and who liked it so much she wanted to buy it. She is one of those cooks who needs a recipe to follow and doesn't really like complicated dishes. This is wonderful for those types of cooks who want tasty, easy and nutritious dishes. We have had several dishes from this cookbook, and they were all very good. Highly recommended for beginning vegetarian cooks and busy folks who want a good, fast dinner in the evening.

Interestingly, the authors start out in their many acknowledgments with "a tribute to the ancient library of Alexandria for inspiring us all"!! But the Chapters tell it all: 1- In the Beginning - the story of Scotland and its origins (including the Greater Scythian origins and Biblical history)!! 2- The Druids: Their History and Legacy (something the church wanted you to forget about)! 3- Stone Circles, Megaliths, and early sacred sites, 4- The Early Celtic Saints of Scotland (something diminimized at the Synod of Whitby) but here is gobs of history including egyptian coptic connections!! 5- The Culdees: Servants and Companions of God (lots more history showing an important presence well before that of the "Roman church" INCLUDING EARLY LEGENDS IN BRITAIN OF MARY AND "JUDAIC REFUGEES")!! 6-King Arthur, Merlin, and Guinevere: Scottish Traditions 7- The Holy Grail (including the author support of Count Philip of Flanders (a relative of ours) and the precious blood story that's been around for many centuries!!)AND EXCELLENT REVIEW OF HISTORY OF THIS AND WHAT CURRENT RESEARCH AUTHORS HAVE FOUND!! 8- Masonic and Medieval Guild Traditions! 9- Rosslyn Chapel: An Archetypal 'King Solomon's Temple'!!, 16 pages of bibliography and a map to boot of the Celtic Saints territories!! This is really your definitive story from very respected authors, if you really want to know the story!!! Dr. Karen Ralls-MacLeod is now based at Oxford, lectures worldwide, and is founder of Ancient Quest, an historical research organisation. She's conducted some tours in the past. . . as one review says: this is a "must read" for all who sense the mystery and magic of our distant past!!!

A great combination of reliable, documented sources yet still managing to remain readable and fun, this book was a sheer delight. This book must have taken years to research. Packed with fascinating information (some little known, but true) about the history of Scotland--ranging from the Declaration of Arbroath, Robert the Bruce, the Druids and the Picts, to the Celtic saints, the Stone of Destiny, Masonic and guild traditions and Rosslyn Chapel, it delivers well. The sources and notes 'checked out'--and as I live in Edinburgh, I can say that their knowledge of Scottish history is very good. But they got the mix right, as this book still manages to be readable and fun --perhaps a bit rare for a history book! Would have liked to have seen a bit more on the specific battle strategies of Bannockburn, some descriptions of early Highland weaponry and even more on the Templars or the guilds, but overall this was a fantastic read about so many different aspects of Scotland's past. The Bibliography alone is worth the price of the book. I also thought the Rosslyn Chapel chapter was particularily interesting, as it was also featured in the novel, The Da Vinci Code---but here, you get the FACTS about the place!

Discusses some of the various underlying factors that have influenced Scotland through the centuries that, for one reason or another, may not have made it into the history books. These subjects include Knights Templar, Rosicrucian, and Masonic history and traditions, early Celtic history, Arthurian legends, the Stone of Destiny, Rosslyn Chapel, Prince Henry Sinclair's 1398 voyage to Nova Scotia, Robert the Bruce, Declaration of Arbroath, the early Celtic church, and the Scottish 'origin-myth'. Well-referenced, from credible sources, it also includes illustrations and photographs. We sincerely hope that this book will contribute to the overall picture of Scotland's history and also tell more about its important contribution to aspects of American history as well. Enjoy!

[Please forgive us for the apparent '5-star' review of our own book. The online review form will not accept any information without a rating!]

I anxiously anticipated this book's arrival.
I devoured it when it arrived. I'm left a bit in the middle on my opinion.

Good points:
It's written in a more personal, easy approach.
Each chapter covers a different subject, things that I've never found in one book all at once. Things like Masonry and such, I had not gotten to yet, their inclusion is definitely interesting.
Theories are presented as such, and our authors leave it up to the reader to decide what they agree with.
I have several books on Celtic studies, and this one still managed to throw in a few things I hadnt read of yet.
I particularly was impressed with the chapter on Saints.

Bad and not too bad points:

I found much extremely redundant. I got the feeling more than once this was to fill the book, make it longer. Which somewhat baffles me as each chapter's subject could and does have numerous books written on each alone.
Personal peeve was the superflous use of certain phrases, which become again, redundant. Used throughout the entire book, sometimes more than once in each paragraph. When you read it, you'll see what I mean. Minor thing, perhaps, but when it becomes annoying it does make it difficult at times to keep reading.
Certain subjects deserve a much deeper treatment, as such some chapters seem a bit shallow. However, it DOES introduce you just enough to peak your interest, and you may research further. I just felt here and there that perhaps this was too ambitious an undertaking for one volume.

To be fair, I believe this was the idea, however. To introduce the reader to all these things and leave it to us to further study. They arent claiming at all to have included all there is to say on these subjects!
Some I wish would have been longer chapters, others shorter. That all depends on which parts interest you the most.

In summation, it's not a bad, nice enough intro to certain things, some chapters I like more than others.
It might be I had expected too much from it..
Just dont buy this expecting in depth studies of each subject. There's what, about 8 being covered here, that again, can each be written extensively on separately.

A real breath of fresh air--This book is a fascinating compendium of chapters on various aspects of Scottish and Celtic history, each of which could easily stand on their own. Looking for a good read you can also "dip into"? Bored? Intrigued by Scotland, but beyond just clans or "tartan and shortbread"? Want the actual historical facts about Scottish places or people? Read this book!

Everything from the usual subjects like the Declaration of Arbroath, Robert the Bruce, or the Stone of Destiny are included, but here, we also have the occasional topic or subject that has (for whatever reasons) often been "left out" or ignored in previous works on Scottish history. So as readers, we are treated to "the whole story", it seems, but when this is done in this work, the sources do check out and often end up coming from more conventional sources!---but were simply not included in previous books on Scotland. Each chapter is its own separate 'world' and the notes for them are extensive, which I found very helpful

One has to wonder why it took so long for some of these interesting facts about Scottish history to finally come to light. This book offers an especially fresh outlook and the authors should be commended for even attempting a work that combines both the usual and the more unusual factual aspects of history. It is accurate, yet stimulating; academic yet readable--a rather rare combination these days.

Yet most refreshing of all, the authors never make any sensational claims, nor do they exploit what might be called the "Braveheart" factor to sell their work. The reader is ultimately left to decide for themselves, but after having read a great variety of sources. This is a solidly researched book from one end to the other. The footnotes are detailed and the Bibliography is extensive; the Index also had helpful cross-references, in my view. The Introduction is even interesting as well, especially about early printing by Scots in the American colonies.

Throughout this book, the sources come from the usual academic and official records, yet there are also selected, reliable sources from lesser known places, private archives, and so on. Yet when they use sources from legends or folklore, they clearly say so--again, a real breath of fresh air.

The chaper on Rosslyn Chapel is particularily fascinating and detailed, as well as the unusual information about Scottish guilds and masonic history. As Rosslyn is featured in the last two chapters of the Da Vinci Code novel, it was really good to get the actual facts about this site, too. Other interesting tidbits occur throughout this book--for example, I didn't know that some of the very oldest rocks in the world --perhaps the oldest -- are in the Hebrides islands of Scotland, i.e., Lewis! Things like that.

Read this book--highly recommended! A fantastic work--and a much-needed one in today's world of 'hype' and 'sensationalism', especially about Celtic subjects.

When I opened this book I was hooked from page 1. I could not set it down. I had to read the whole thing without stopping. No eating or drinking. I just sat down and read it cover to cover. I was amazed at all the details in this book. I could actually picture the places this wonderful new author was describing. I do hope shes writes more as I am now a big fan.

Jamie's first book, 'Wanderlust' is slightly dull in the way of details and complete character motivation, but encompasses a very interesting idea; it's a thinker book with lots of sex on the side, and that's never a bad thing. I'm sure the second book in this soon-to-be-popular series will shine all the brighter.

Start reading Wanderlust on Saturday morning so you won't miss work! You won't be able to put it down until you have finished it.

Totally unique characters will continue to surprise you until you find the last page. The plot and subplots are full of mystery and fantasy; not to mention lust.

This is a fast paced book that has many twists and turns to keep any read turning the pages. For a first book, Jaimie has woven a masterfilled story. I am waiting to read more by this new and exciting author.

"Wanderlust" reads like a cross between one of the Brendan Fraser "Mummy" movies and an occult mystery such as "Fallen," but with the addition of a cute dog. It centers on Jonas Uhrig, a likable crime reporter with a knack for stumbling onto murder scenes. The killer, who leaves an Egyptian symbol called the "Eye of Horus" as his calling card, seems to be following Jonas-- or is Jonas unwittingly following him? That's the question "Wanderlust" poses, and goes about answering in entertaining fashion.

Jaimie's got two things going for her as an author that I really admire: A knack for description, and an obvious love of research. She knows her subject, and Egyptian lore practically flows off the page. She really makes it interesting and draws you into the subject, even if (like me) you don't know a Hathor from a hole in the wall. The unlikeliest turns in the book seem reasonable, because it's clear the author knows her business. If she believes it, you believe it.

It is definitely an R-rated book, or even NC-17, in my opinion. More sensitive readers should beware. Everyone else, particularly those with an interest in Egyptian civilization and/or myth, should snag themselves a copy, because it's a very likeable read with great atmosphere and dialogue. And you'll love the dog.

Ahh, the days of my youth. While not exactly like Robby Duncan's, the days I spent in North Florida so many years ago are faithfully portrayed on the pages of Steve Robertson's latest novel "Bottom Time".
Of note is the stream of thought conciousness that Robby engages in as he spends time alone on his dive boat. The well written dialouge as Robby poses and answers lifes questions to himself is to take the reader (especially the male reader) back to those not so innocent, but definitley fun times of 1965 - 1975.
Mr. Robertson's description of mid twentieth century north Florida are touched with pathos and a descriptive eye for local detail. These were my favorite parts of the book, as I could transplant myself back in time to those halcyon days of my youth.
All in all a damn fine read. But to tell the truth, it would actually make a better movie than a novel. Any script writers out there to give this a treatment? I'd buy the book and a movie ticket. At any rate, pick up "Bottom Time", a great summer action read for the beach or lake. Kudos to Steve Robertson for another fine addtition to his list of good books.

Tom Altee
North Florida

In Bottom Time by H. Steven Robertson, we find a young Robbie Duncan, a graduate teacher who loves scuba diving. He dives not only for pleasure, but has just started working part time as a salvage diver on his favorite boat, captained by his older friend Bill.

While Robbie spends most of his time on the boat with Captain Bill and other friends, he has a lot of time on his own to reflect on his pre and post college years, the pranks and the girls, as well as the sports he enjoyed.

Whether you have been to Florida or not, Robertson gives a picturesque view of Florida's A-1-A Highway, including scenes at Jax ( Jacksonville) Beach Sambo's (a defunct nationwide restaurant) from the early years, and includes scenic's from below the ocean, as well as food preparation. In some parts of the book you can smell the musky, rotten odors emanating from the earth and shorelines. You get a good idea of the smell of rotting fish and birds that occupy the beaches, with or without human inhabitants.

All in all a good, but slow book, however it does have its own greatness. Not being a diver, or even one who likes to get in any water outside a registered, chlorine filled pool, the reader will learn about life under the top of the water, the fish, diving gear, the difficulties we do not understand while we watch our movies or more recently television news.

This is a great book for divers, or those wanting to learn about it, those interested in how others see this beautiful place called Florida. Personally, I learned much more about diving than I bargained for, reading the book.

What we don't learn about being on a ship is the hundreds of free, lonely, and almost boring hour's divers spend on a ship. Robertson takes care of this by showing what one diver's thoughts are while going from, and to shore. By doing this he creates a fascinating story teaching us about the fun and dangers of diving. What could be considered loneliness to land folks, is a great break from normal days and a time to reflect for seamen in all walks of sea life.

The true Southern gentleman - all man, and very manly without going over the top with testosterone. Robertson has once again created a character and plot that will stay with me for a long time.

Have you ever read a book that you can't stop thinking about six month later? Well Bottom Time is that book. Follow Robie Duncan in his fast pace adventures in Jacksonville Beach, FL as a diver and through his college escapades. You'll laugh at loud and find yourself holding your breath throughout Robbie's adventures. There's something in here for every reader to love. The sights and sound and especially the smells really come to life. I guarantee once you read this book you'll be beggin for more from this author. It's an awesome read!

Great detail. Lots of action. Very easy to read. Great drama in bombing raids that put you in the cockpit. A must for all WWII enthusiasts.

The author, former B29 pilot in WWII, tells us about his 35 missions with the 29th Bomber Group, 314th Bomb Wing, 21st Bomber Command, 20th US Army Air Force, from March thru August 1945. Besides his own career as a military instructor and pilot, Robertson presents several curiosities about the day-by-day life, inicially in several training bases in ConUs and later, in a huge air base on the island of Guam. Included is an epilogue, where are related the post-war fate of several of his crew members and other people related to his combat tour in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

I purchased a copy of this book when it first appeared on the booklists. Being a pilot and an aircraft historian, I completed the book in one long night. To say that Col. Robertson is a terrific writer is an understatement. This book is extremely well writen and holds your attention throughout. I have read many books on WWII and the air engagements within that conflict. I can say without equivication that this is the finest book of that genre. Do not miss this outstanding story!

This is unquestionably one of the very best books written about the aerial battle over the Japanese homeland that eventually defeated the Japanese Empire and brought about the end of World War II. Airplane Commander Gordon Benett Robertson, Jr. eloquently describes his training and the missions of the B-29 Superfortresses of the 20th Air Force. The story of this magnificent aircraft and its crews is must read for all historians.

David Braden, Past President
20th Air Force Association

For me Steinhauer's series of book's started out great and slowly devolved to where I can no longer read them. This is one of the good ones. He evokes the cold war and eastern Europe better than any other author I know. Its this evocation that makes these books stay with you long after you've read them. The characters are full of the sad tragedy of their world but seem to rise above it all to become fully realized humans. Highly recommended.

Steinhauer's latest novel, The Confession, proves that his first critically acclaimed novel Bridge of Sighs was neither an accident nor a flash in the pan. With his second mystery based in communist-era eastern Europe, Steinhauer displays his continuing growth as a novelist, and his considerable ability to mix the psychological tension of his characters, and plot. The emotional backdrop of the story is the deteriorating marriage of his main charcter Comrade Inspector Ferenc Kolyeszar, and all the angst, betrayal, paranoia, and helplessness that comes along with this. While Kolyeszar struggles to learn the identity of his wife's lover, he takes up the case of a murdered artist. The keynote crime in Steinhauer's first novel was the killing of a proletarian songwriter. That the deaths of a social realist art dealer, painter, and the painter's former lover form the core of this mystery is great fun, and allows Steinhauer to explore of of literature's most compelling themes: the mercilessness of art, and flawed, complex nature of the world's most prevalent form of justice -- vengeance. The Confession is multi-layered, but Steinhauer skilfully balances these subplots and cleverly brings them together at the story's fascinating conclusion. A rarity among mystery writers, Steinhauer is both a gifted writer and storyteller. He has created a corking mystery peopled by extraordinary and rare characters. His prose is eloquent and stiletto sharp. As another Amazon reviewer has pointed out, Kolyeszar's alienated and defiant posture in this mystery is not new to the crime genre. But Kolyeszar is a fresh face, and impressively real. Nothing he does in The Confession is anticipated. Like the very best novelists Steinhauer constantly surprises. Although Steinhauer does not name his east European nation, he also gives a sense of life in the dreary, disappointing, and cynical post-war years of the East Bloc that few histories have been able to capture.

The result is one of the best crime novels to emerge this year. The second instalment in a five-part series, The Confession elicits only one response: impatience for books three, four and five to hit the shelves, and a keen hope that somewhere Olen Steinhauer is typing as fast as humanly possible.

This is an ambitious attempt to produce a combined psychological novel and Chandleresque mystery novel. As with all Chandler-type novels, the hero is an alienated individual seeking some kind of truth in a corrupt milieu. In this case, the corrupt milieu is an Eastern European Communist state. This is not an original version of the Chandler idea, Martin Cruz Smith did this fairly successfully in Gorky Park and Phillip Kerr has a series of good PI novels set in Nazi Germany. Steinhauer attempts to combine this style of mystery novel with psychological exploration of the effects of totalitarian rule. This attempt is not successful. Steinhauer is a decent writer but presently lacks the skill to bring off a complicated task like this. The mystery per se suffers from excessively complex plotting and characterization is only moderately good.

Now turning thirty, seven years has passed since an idealistic Emil Brod joined the police force as a Comrade Homicide Detective, but now by 1956 he is like his peers, grim and ever looking over his shoulders at the KGB representative. Emil has learned survival means trust no one and gingerly investigate whenever the Party is involved.

Meanwhile Police Officer Ferenc Kolyeszar prefers to be a novelist, but in this small Communist nation getting anything published is controlled by the Party. Though Ferenc has talent his résumé shows one paperback. Now he writes a book about the depressing world of artists representing Everyman behind the Iron Curtain. Any creativity typically leads to work camps that even in the post Stalin era remains dehumanizing and deadly. Besides the censorship that haunts Ferenc, he suffers remorse over a recent assignment involving college students. As he investigates the murder of a party bureaucrat, KGB agent Kaminski watches Ferenc looking forward to destroying the wannabe author.

This 1950s Communist police procedural is a terrific tale that provides the audience with insight into life inside a Soviet satellite country just after the death of Stalin. The strong story line surprisingly relegates the hero of the first novel (BRIDGE OF SIGHS) to a cynical secondary role. This allows comparison to Ferenc, a tragic Shakespearean character who knows that his latest case will personally cost him dearly; yet he cannot adapt to the party line especially after he carried out a recent assignment to bash the heads of protesting college students. This is a great Eastern European Communist historical police procedural that should provide Owen Steinhauer a strong fan base.

Harriet Klausner

Crimes against humanity is a very comprehensive review of the human rights directed at readers not well versed in law. The author, Geoffrey Robertson, an accomplished lawyer and advocate of human rights, does an superb job of discussing the origins of modern human rights, and their development to the present day, (the updated edition covers the Iraq war.)

He laments the repeated failures of members of the international community to uphold human rights when it is in their interest. Yet he does so with reason, fairness and empathy (not sympathy) for countries who abuse human rights as well as the UN which has failed to protect human rights so often. For example he blasts all of the big 5 members of the security council at various times for abusing their veto powers. He also criticises the small enclaves such as Lichtenstein, Monaco and the Vatican who abuse their voting power in the general assembly which is equivalent to that of China or India.

At the same time he talks up the progress that human rights have made in recent years, something that is rarely acknowledged. The leaders of nations now fear that they might one day fall into the grasp of justice, and the US can no longer support despotic regimes throughout the world.

This book serves as an excellent introduction to the broader issue of human rights for those who are not well read on this subject. It is a quite long, and can become tedious at times, but it is not dry like I assume a law textbook must be. Nor is it a one sided attack by some commentator which seeks to popularise the author's agenda.

At 609 pages this is a lengthy read on a difficult subject; Robertson deals with it logically and often with charm and wit (perhaps a useful coping mechanism for such a depressing subject). We clearly have a long way to go to achieve a more humane world. Robertson traces the history of the concept of crimes against humanity from the trial of Charles I in 1649 and the landmark work of Grotius, in particular focusing on developments post Nuremberg, to the present day (2006). Obviously the Bush administration cops a bit of a flogging on its more recent demurring as a human rights leader but it is pleasing to see the people of America reaffirming their common decency and insisting the US resume this role. Robertson's book will help us all think more clearly on this complex subject and make the world a better place.

After readinbg Geoffrey Robertson's book "The Justice Game" (which was just so good.....) I again wanted to have some more of his personal style, wit and in-depth knowledge of his subject - in "another terrifIcally good read".

Now in its third edition, this mainstay textbook on the subject just keeps getting bigger, and one might say better. Whereas in earlier editions, the author was known to write in a somewhat dry, analytical tone, with some excellent categorical or structural analysis, I might add, the tone is now almost conversational, with the author telling "the story of human rights." The "story" pervades the first five or six chapters, and consists of little snippets or witty comments lamenting the fact that someone didn't do this or that. The meaty stuff includes chapter 8 (the Pinochet case), chapter 9 (the Milosvic case), chapter 11 (Kosovo), and chapter 13 (the last chapter, on Saddam Hussein). There is only one chapter on terrorism (12) and it's mostly devoted to the Guantanamo Bay issue. Overall, the book may be essential reading, and it does make the complex simple, but it is an overview book and the kind of thing which is sufficient only for beginners because there are lots of areas where the reader might want to do some more research and all they are given are little snippets or emotive hints of something.