S Books

Wow! Harriette S. Sherman (H) and her loving and beloved L are amazing, impressive, inspirational people. Abruptly separated by World War II immediately after their marriage (they returned from their honeymoon to find his draft papers waiting), they wrote copious letters back and forth to support each other and to continue their relationship in the only ways they could. They saved the letters, and over 50 years later the author cleaned out their closet, pulled out the box of letters, and decided to arrange them into a book to share their story. I'm so glad she did! The letters and the bits of connecting narrative gave me eye-opening, enthralling insight into some of the personal struggles of the times. Their joint story is not just informative, it's also really good and gripping and tender, and I've loaned my copy out to friends so many times that I got some extras -- one to use as my loaner in case it ever doesn't come back, and a couple to give as gifts. Thank you, H and L, for this terrific book, and also for your steadfast services to the country through this awful war. I admire your strength and courage and perserverence and love.

Love in the Time of War,by Harriette S. Sherman, is a beautiful and inspiring book. I found myself laughing and crying as I identified with her through the trials of the war-time separation from her newly-wed husband. The letters and narratives evoke the rhythm of the war both at home and overseas in remarkably vivid language. I want to thank the author for the gift of her courage and generous spirit in sharing this very personal and touching story.

Love in the Time of War:a Remembering is a beautiful book that centers around the letters written between 1941 and 1945 by two young American newlyweds whose marriage was disrupted by the call of the author's husband to war. Harriette Sherman reminds readers that the successful battlefield struggles of those men who have come to be called "America's greatest generation" were made possible by the wives, mothers, and other family members who held the pieces of daily life together at home. The intimate letters that the author and her young husband exchanged were the only way they stayed "connected" during their forced separations as war raged in Europe. In their honest and straight-forward manner, the letters reveal much about what it was like to be a young bride to start married life alone in the early 1940's. Equally satisfying are the letters sent from the battlefields which tell much about the transformation that every successful soldier must undergo from new recruit to seasoned veteran. The book gives the reader a fine exampleof how love can ripen and mature under the strains of life, even the horrors of war. For history buffs, the book evokes in very clear images what it was like to live through this time and how the battles were fought and won, both at home and overseas. For the generation that is now fighting the war against terrorism, the book offers valuable lessons of hope.

It's amazing what one can do with a battered box of old letters! After the gripping first paragraph of the prologue: "I trembled. My whole body seemed to come alive with his first gentle kiss. Twenty-two years old and engaged to another man, I felt a thunderous jolt as L's quiet "I love you" wrenched my life into a 180 degrees turn-about toward a different, unplanned road...," I was hooked and the book became a page-turner. The letters flow so well into each other that they read as a novel and what a love story indeed! Though not just mention of hugs, kisses, and I-love-you's. Their letters, with some detailed added pages by the author where she saw the need for it, give a lot of insight what life was like during those days in the army, and how a young wife, left behind a few weeks after her wedding, not only survived on a meager income (or sometimes no income at all) but managed to save for trips, some 3000 miles away, to be with her husband for a mere one or two days. I reveled along with them in those short moments of happiness.

In their letters they try to be reassuring, but you are aware of the constant fear and tension they had to endure, especially when 'L' is injured in Normandy during his participation in the D-Day landings.

Some of their letters are of special significance to me as I was myself a WW-II victim. After reading the book, I felt the urge to thank 'L', albeit very belatedly, for helping to liberate Holland, where my family and I were about to succumb to malnutrition.

A very memorable and loving memoir!

From 1941 to 1945 Harriette Sherman's married life existed for the most part via the postal system. Although separated by war, she and her new husband communed, joked, loved, and even fought and made some of the toughest decisions of their lives through the most simple medium - pen and paper. A byproduct: Their correspondence not only documented an extraordinary era in an engaging fashion, it also explored the profound nature of love and commitment.

Sherman's epistolary memoir, "Love in the Time of War: A Remembering," astounds with its honesty and its precious details. One feels as though one is peering in on Sherman through the open window of her home, watching her at her desk scrawling the words she will send off to her husband, waiting eagerly with her for his return, or at least for his response. This type of intimacy is a gift. But it is when Sherman connects the text of these letters with the context of her life, revealing her growth and development as an individual and as a partner, that the letters truly sing with life: its joys, sorrows, struggles, and overall, its sustaining love.

Although it is about a period and a war more than half a century ago, reading this book during a new period of devastating warfare, I found an unexpected comfort and perhaps even some courage from this enduring testimony to survival and devotion. I recommend "Love in the Time of War" to young readers (junior high) as well as adults because it engages history in a way that history books rarely can. It tells it from the inside out, from the individual daily lives that make up an era, their innermost feelings and tribulations. Like love itself, something to treasure.

If you are a suburban mom in America, chances are you have run into a Taylor Young! She's the perfectly manicured, beautiful mother who volunteers for everything and is envied and looked up to by her peers. She has the perfect husband and the perfect kids...but did you ever wonder what goes on behind closed doors? Is it really as idyllic as it seems?

Jane Porter masterfully crafts a story that examines women's role in America today. Taylor Young is the quintessential suburban mom; she is the woman that society leads us to believe we should all strive to be. But she has flaws and she has a hard time keeping her game face on. When she is faced with challenges, however, she prevails and she comes out stronger and healthier, less stressed and I think as she begins to really understand the journey of life, she is happier.

Ms. Porter forces readers to look at the tough choices women are forced to make in our society and with both "Odd Mom Out" and "Mrs. Perfect" she shows the pros and cons of that ideal. Hopefully, somewhere in the middle, we will all find some solace and comfort, some happiness, some sense that we are enough. But I am sure that in sharing these heroine's journeys, women will get a sense that they are not alone in their thoughts and their feelings and they will find a reason to celebrate that we are all in this journey together!

Taylor Young presents the perfect life. She has the perfect husband, the perfect children. She is the perfect room mom and the perfect hostess in her perfect home. If she can just keep from ripping her perfectly coiffed hair from her perfectly scheduled head, she might just survive the less-than-perfect circumstances this year brings.

From the very first page you will be absolutely certain of the frantic pace of Taylor's life. And unlike some of those braggy acquaintances we all have who are busy, busy, busy and love to talk about it so that we will be impressed, you really get the feeling that Taylor knows she's overextended and wants out. But she's far too responsible for that, not to mention far too efficient and good at all things organized-and, someone's got to do it.

After I read Odd Mom Out, also by Jane Porter, I wasn't sure I would enjoy a book about Taylor, Marta's nemesis. I identified too much with Marta. But I found that I also identify with Taylor. They are both more alike than either of them would believe. They care passionately about their children and their work (whether a paying job or volunteering at the school), and they are both kind of control freaks. I loved one passage in which she wrote, "I'm fine. We're fine...When what we're actually screaming is Help me, help me. Oh God, someone help me...Why can't we accept help?"

This book is positively riveting. So while my control freak self knew I should put it down and put my house in an immaculate state, I couldn't do it. And though there are a few things that were hard to swallow, like a SAHM (stay-at-home mom) with a nanny and Taylor scaling down to a "tiny" house the size of the one I live in (so I know it is possible), I totally got who Taylor was and could even understand why these things were problems for her. I absolutely, hands down, recommend this book.

Armchair Interviews agrees this is a fun read.

This book is a must read for all Jane Porter fans! As usual this story is engaging, easy to read and you will find it hard to put down. I am sure I read it in 3 days between dishes, homework and playing with the kids. Its a take off from her previous novel "Odd Mom Out" and like most moms you can find yourself in one or more of her characters. You will laugh and cry so its a great summer novel and will make a great gift!

I absolutely LOVED this book. I love all of Jane's books and I was excited to read this one because I did not like Taylor in Odd Mom Out. I found myself addicted to her character and I had to keep reading to find out more. This was a very quick read and I did not want to put it down!!! You will not be disappointed!

Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (6/08)


"Mrs. Perfect" centers on the life of super mom Taylor Young. She appears to have it all- she is married to her handsome, successful husband Nathan, has three beautiful girls, and lives in a gorgeous and pricey mansion. Definitely an alpha-female, she is very competitive when it comes to volunteer opportunities at her daughters' school. So, determined to procure all of the spots that she deems worthy, she even e-mails the teachers before the start of the year explaining to them why she is qualified to be a room mother. To further try to solidify her front-runner position she also purchases welcome gifts for the teachers.

Normally everything works out in her favor and she is assigned the duties that she wishes, but this year is different. When she sees the room assignments she realizes that another parent has been chosen over her to be one of her daughter's class room mothers. If you didn't find the character of Taylor to be slightly annoying up until this point of the book you definitely will now! She has a sense of entitlement to her that just eats at you. I think everyone knows a "Taylor" in real life, a person who thinks that they are better or more deserving than everyone else.

However, you don't have to dislike her for much longer, as soon into the novel her world as she knows it is about to change drastically and she is going to be hit with a dose of reality. While out dining with a friend her credit card is declined when she goes to pay the bill. She then finds out that her husband has been keeping numerous secrets from her and that she will no longer to be able to maintain her current standard of living. This fact terrifies her and we watch as she struggles to keep her head above water while trying to act like everything is the same around her friends.

This is the first of Jane Porter's novels that I have read and I really enjoyed. "Mrs. Perfect" is a fast read and would be the perfect novel to enjoy at the beach. The four hundred and seventeen pages fly by so quickly that I read the book in one day. Porter's novel is full of memorable characters, and they stick with you long after the last page is turned. I look forward to going back and reading her previously published work. I am also eagerly anticipating her next novel, which is scheduled for a July 2009 release!

Practical and effective. A balanced book with an understandable writing and depth of analysis.

At the peak of the dot-com bubble, buying Internet stocks was momentum investing at its most pure - get in when a new stock or sector is on its upswing, and get out while the gettin's good. But Peter S. Cohan has created new criteria for Internet investors to apply in the traditional method of fundamental analysis. Instead of looking to old-line gurus like Graham or Buffet for advice, Cohan draws on the business strategies of John D. Rockefeller to come up with fresh e-commerce attributes like economic leverage, closed-loop solutions and adaptive management for investors to measure. We [...] recommend this book to executives, employees and students with equal vigor, although consider yourself forewarned that Cohan's extended barking-dog analogy will grate on your nerves. Nevertheless, anyone who invests in Internet companies or even traffics in Internet commerce for business or pleasure will gain insights from this book, regardless of whether Cohan's investment criteria prove to have staying power.

This is the most lucid, sensible analysis I've read thus far of the likely implications of engaging in e-commerce from different strategic perspectives and business models. Cohan provides a valuable framework and applies it to scores of real cases. I find myself returning to his book time and again to apply his methodology. His only off-base advice: don't invest in companies led by folks over 35. I'll forgive him that one. The rest of the book is a real gem. It should age well.

I enjoyed the book tremendously, and think Peter's done a fabulous job dissecting the Internet investment frenzy, providing the logic to the momentum everyone else seems to have missed.

This book is good for Newbie to the internet but certainly don't worth a look for someone looking for insight.

The framework is nothing new but more or less a simplified business plan.

In Chapter 13, Advice for Internet Management and Investors sounds like a common sense and existing strategy using by most of the dotcom. Common Sense: Strategy 1 of those advices is moving the company into a more profitability region in short. (It dividies the market into 3 levels of profitability. so called Lossware, Brandware and Powerware. Well, no matter if it is New or Old economy, there is always different degrees of profitability.)

Existing strategies: Selling out of a porfolio builder, deep pockets and restructuring. We are seeing consolidation in the market a long long time ago and a lot of big or small players already know it is the way.

This book is more like a news reporting and a lot of newly invented words cannot make this book a standard of new economy rules but disappoint me only.

Reading Linda's story I instantly knew I'd want to lend this book to my Mum after I'd finished it. Are high achievers born or made? You won't find the answer in reading this book, but you'll see how a determined young woman who had every reason to fail succeeded and raised a champion. More importantly I feel - this story isn't just about Lance. It's definitely hers, it's quirky and charming, easy to read and definitely gives you a feel for her character. I preferred It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life - but I definitely recommend this as a great follow up read.
Kirsty Dunphey, Author Retired at 27, If I can do it anyone can

Linda Armstrong started out with enough strikes to doom most to a mediocre life - daughter of divorced parents and a drunkard father (stopped drinking when Lance was born), married at 16, mother at 17, expelled from high school for being pregnant, and abused by husband whom she eventually left. Instead, she raised (inspired, cheered, protected, funded, and assisted his early development and becoming a champion, and then added her inner strength to Lance's during a devastating cancer encounter) a world renowned bicycling champion and major force in cancer research and support.

At the same time Linda went on to complete her GED and worked her way up to a high-level position within a large communications firm. It was not all success for Linda, however - she also had to go through two additional failed marriages (a philanderer, and a drunkard), before finally finding her "true love."

After reading the book it is clear that both Lance Armstrong AND his mother, Linda, are very exceptional and inspirational individuals. I wish I had read this book myself before becoming a parent - my approach and perspectives would hopefully have greatly improved.

A very well written book bringing the reader the life of an adoring Mother and her son. Neither would give up on their individual dreams in their respective pursuits of happiness in their lives. Enjoyable, insightful reading start to finish. Many congrats to both, and a special congratualtion to Lance for winning his seventh Tour deFrance.

Funny, sad, interesting, well-written, inspirational. I have great respect and admiration for Linda Armstrong Kelly. She is a remarkable woman with an incredible ability to adapt to any situation life throws her way. What a great woman!

I am glad Lance's Mom decided to write her story. After I read It's Not About the Bike, I was inspired and eager to learn how a seemingly super-human came to be. Now I know: his Mom exudes energy, enthusiasm, and optimism without bounds: who could lose with such incredible and selfless support screaming in your ear on each lap of the race.

This is a book that focuses primarily on Linda Armstrong Kelly. Lance plays a pivotal but supporting role in the story. She is honest and forthright about the men in her life; other women have just shriveled and become bitter. She is unabashedly supportive of her son, in spite of his adolescent fixation with speeding and dangerous shenanagans with his pals. And... she raised a smart son who loves and respects his mother, especially shielding her from some of the pranks that would drive many parents to pack their son off to some military academy. The fireballs come to mind as I write this.

She is a mom that celebrates Mother's Day, everyday. Now, if she can figure out a way to bottle and sell her optimism and energy! Enjoy the read.

This book is a model for clarity in histories of the Civil War. The author describes troop movements and strategic decisions in an accessible manner. The meaning of the Pea Ridge campaign is made clear. In this book, you can follow the battlefield and get a sense of where people were at any given moment.

The South lost the West in this battle; the battle pre-saged many of the tactical innovations of the Civil War. This "sideline" battle is revealed as more important than most realize, an early indication that western battles would yield Union victories.

Even among Civil War buffs, Pea Ridge is pretty much a forgotten battle. Shea's book remedies that with clear, readable and moving narrative and keen analysis of the largest Civil War battle fought in Arkansas (and depending on which numbers you believe, the largest fought west of the Mississippi). Even more importantly, the book provides compelling reasons why Pea Ridge should NOT be a forgotten battle. He also spotlights the brilliant performance of Samuel Curtis, perhaps the Union's most underrated general, as well as the less-than-brilliant work of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn, who had all of Jeb Stuart's style but not of his skills.

Many Civil War buffs, and most casual readers of Civil War history, have more than a parochial understanding of this pivotal battle. When Curtis's northern troops entered NW Arkanasas, during the winter of 1862, they knew they were facing a strong enemy.

Earl Van Dorn, recently promoted to commander of the Army of The West, had assembled a strong army and was anxious for success against Curtis's troops. He believed that he could defeat him and launch an overland campaign, against Union held St. Louis, ensuring his lasting fame. He was unprepared for what he would find with Curtis.

Curtis had entrenched his army, along Little Sugar Creek, which rests south of Pea Ridge Tavern along the Telegraph Rd. As the Rebels were wintering in the Boston Mountains, south of his position, Curtis had little worry about Rebels hitting him from the North. Fortunately, Brig General, Franz Sigel, detached from Curtis's army, and at Bentonville, was defeated, and pushed back to Curtis's position and alerted him of trouble in his rear.

Van Dorn's ingenious plan revolved around splitting his army, to traverse Elk Horn mountain, with troops under Ben McCullough taking the Ford Rd, to the mountain's south side, and his troops, commanded by Sterling Price around the north side. They would meet on the Telegraph Rd, north of Curtis's army and push them into Little Sugar Creek - blocking their means of retreat to Missouri. While conceptually, this plan was sound, in reality, the timing proved difficult and Union troops under Osterhaus and Jefferson C Davis, caught McCollough's rebels in the open. Battle followed in, and around Leetown. While the rebels were able to open the battle, their organization fell apart after brigadier generals Ben McCullough and McIntosh were killed on the field. Command of this sector fell to the next general in line, Albert Pike. Pike was leading the Civil War's first brigade of Indians, and was not up to the task. The union forces pushed them NE towards Elkhorn tavern.

Meanwhile, east of Leetown, Van Dorn's main body, unleashed a spectacular attack against Curtis's Union forces at Elkhorn Tavern. The rebels pushed Curtis's troops 1/2 mile south, along the Telegraph Rd. Even with the routing of the portion of his army, now being led by Pike, Van Dorn slept that night, confident that his troops would push Curtis's army into the Little Sugar Creek. This was the mistake that lost him the battle.

The next morning, after assembling his new battle line, Curtis's opened the day with the largest artillery barrage of the Civil War (up to that point). This artillery barrage caught Van Dorn's confederates unprepared. In the excitement of the previous day's victory, Van Dorn had not called up his supply train. Essentially, caught up against the east edge of Elkhorn Mountain, and in the open south of Elkhorn Tavern, Van Dorn's troops had almost no artillery ammunition, and very little ammunition for his infantry. Van Dorn was forced to retreat, east along Huntsville Rd.

Over the coming months, Curtis would pursue Van Dorn's army across north, and north central Arkansas. His victory would assure the Union, that Missouri would stay in the Union.

This book was extremely well written and easy to read. Shea did a remarkable job putting his text into easily visualized format. I was even more impressed with this book after visiting the battlefield, and using his maps, and pictures, to explore the battlefield (if you are interested in viewing my pictures of the Pea Ridge battle field, please email me at michael.noirot@gmail.com).

I highly recommend this book to all Civil War buffs. It will put the battles, west of the Mississippi, into proper perspective.

Michael Noirot
Saint Louis, Missouri

Authors William Shea and Earl Hess tell the story of the campaign and battle of Pea Ridge, which is sometimes grandly called the Gettysburg of the West. The Union Army of the Southwest, commanded by Brig. Gen. Samuel Curtis numbered fewer than 11,000 soldiers, the same size as a single division in the Army of the Potomac at that time. Yet, while the vast legions of Army of the Potomac hovered uncertainly near Washington DC in February 1862, Curtis launched a winter campaign that took his small army clear across the Ozark Plateau and into northwestern Arkansas.

There, Union soldiers from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and loyal Missouri met an equally tough set of Confederates from Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. It was one of the few times in the Civil War that the Northern soldiers were outnumbered. But in the subsequent battle of Pea Ridge in early March 1862, the 16,000-man Confederate Army of the West went down to defeat.

According to the authors, bad luck, uninspired leadership and Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn's many outrageous blunders negated the Southern army's numerical advantage. On the Northern side, Curtis and three of his four division commanders maneuvered their soldiers with skill. Even Curtis' erratic second-in-command, Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel supervised a decisive artillery bombardment on the second day of the battle. Three Yankee brigade commanders showed courage and initiative, but at least one unit commander had a yellow streak.

The book devotes a chapter and a map to the preliminary operation in which the Confederates missed capturing a Union detachment that Sigel had carelessly exposed. The March 7 fights at Leetown and Elkhorn, and the March 8 battle at Elkhorn are explained in detail with maps. The Army of the Southwest's later march to Helena, Arkansas is sketched out more briefly. A concluding chapter ably critiques the strategy and tactics of both sides. There is an Order of Battle and extensive footnotes.

Compare this book with Shelby Foote's short account of Pea Ridge in his splendid "The Civil War -- A Narrative." Foote was a great historian, but it sounds like a different battle. To take only one example, Foote says Van Dorn's two pronged attack was planned. Yet Shea and Hess note that the attack was improvised after the Confederate flank march fell badly behind schedule. This is typical of the kind of detail that the authors add to the history of this battle.

My only criticism is a lack of information on weaponry. Except for one Illinois unit, it is not clear whether Union infantry and cavalry units carried rifled muskets, smoothbores, carbines or Colt revolving rifles. The Order of Battle contains detailed data about the type of cannons in each artillery battery, but in one case the text contradicts the OB. For the Pea Ridge battle and campaign, this book is a keeper, despite my quibbling about weapons.

Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West, authored by William Shea and Earl Hess, is a well done work describing one of the most important battles in the Trans-Mississippi theater. This Union victory ensured that Missouri would be Union territory; it also provided a spearhead for attacks further South (e.g., Arkansas). Compared with the Eastern Theater and the Western Theater, the Trans-Mississippi experienced fewer major battles; after Pea Ridge, the Confederacy lost a lot of "steam" in that district.

The battle itself resulted from a campaign headed by Union General Benjamin Curtis and Confederate General Earl Van Dorn, colorful but not the most competent Army general in the Confederacy. Other generals in the engagement were, on the Confederate side, Sterling Price, Ben McCulloch, and Albert Pike, and, for the Union, Franz Sigel (with one of his very few halfway competent campaigns of the Civil War), Alexander Asboth, and Peter Osterhaus. The Confederate side was burdened with more questionable leadership.

Van Dorn was able to maneuver his army behind the Union defensive position at Pea Ridge (or Elkhorn Tavern). In the battle that followed, Curtis was able to turn his army around, with the rear becoming the front. It was a stunning display of generalship under pressure. The Confederate attack was designed to be two pronged. On the right, initial advances were successful. Then, a leadership crisis. The charismatic Confederate general, Ben McCulloch, was cut down early and died, and chaos set in on his side of the battle. On the other front, advancing up the Telegraph Road from the North, Van Dorn attacked Curtis' position and made some headway. However, as the situation on the Confederate right (and Union left) stabilized, Curtis was able to release more troops to defend against Van Dorn's assault.

By the next morning, the Confederates were fought out. And, in a display of stupefying incompetence, the Confederate Army had not brought up the supply trains and, thus, was low on food and ammunition. The Union attack the next morning, featuring competent generalship from Sigel (well worth mentioning, given the paucity of such days in the war for him), led to a general defeat of the southerners.

The resulting retreat back to Arkansas was disheartening to Van Dorn's army. The end result: the Union solidified its hold on Missouri, turned back a major assault by a large force, and reduced the ability of the Confederate Trans-Mississippi forces to mount a major attack for some time. It is too much to say that this was the Gettysburg of the Trans-Mississippi, but it was a major Union victory. This battle is not as well known as others, but it warrants attention by those interested in the Civil War.

This is the simplest, most direct book I've ever read on how to apply spiritual principles in a functional, working, demonstrable manner. Within 3 days of seeing god as my supply, I was bumped into a promotion for more pay and easier work. When I noticed it was difficult to forgive as a cashier I was sent to do standing-work, where I just had to say hi all day and see people as infinite beings to further my yogic studies. When I was grateful that my real home and supply is already with me and I'm just unable to see it, I received a large sum of money the next morning. And finally, when I followed a feeling of freedom when deciding to give away my possessions I was given good health and no longer had to maintain my stuff costing me more than I had. I now have more than I need, and give without a thought.

This book helped me put into practice these ideas, and gave me working principles I could see in my life. He was the first step, but his teacher was the next. Ernest Holmes.

The heritage of my exploration of Goldsmith stems from Walter Starcke's book, "It's All God" and/or Tolle's book, "The Power of Now". Seeking contact with God is what all people are attempting to do. This book is one more in a series that places you in the emphasis of God's Realm spread out before us, touching the water and touching the wave, spiritually, metaphysically and within the context of psychic transformation.

To live in the Presence of God one must create a practice. This small book is a wonderful guide. It matters not your religious tradition for this Presence is universal and a constant vibration of Goodness. To live in the Presence of Goodness is to live in comfort and Joy. Everyone deserves this opportunity. Allow yourSelf to move from belief to experience. Come and join all who have had this experience. As a poet and conscious traveler, I consider this small book a gem. Blessings upon your pathway.

I felt the book showed the secret to the spiritual life we all wont to live in this time frame we have. Great Book it will change your life

I have studied metaphysics for years and I am increasingly careful about becoming too engulfed in theory and not enough practice. This book is not for those new to new thought its way too heavy. Bottom line practicing the Prescene starts with awarness of the Presence right where you are, your conscious mind being the Spirit of God within you. This book just beats around the bush and comes from a standpoint of supplicaton rather than inductive. I would recommend any Ernest Holmes book as an alternative.

If you admire, respect, or just fondly remember Ronald Reagan you'll enjoy these CDs. Through the short radio commentaries you'll feel like you've gotten to know the real Reagan.

This product is simply amazing. Ronald Regan was one of the best Presidents this country has ever had. These recordings are amazing. Many of the issues that he addressed in his radio announcements are still relevant to today! Decades later!!!

This should silence the "nay sayers" about Regan's abilities and opinions. All these announcements were written by Regan himself between his term of Governor of CA and President. He clearly laid out his plan of defeating communism. It is amazing to hear how a "true" conservative thinks.

Each section is set up and reviewed so that you know the actual context in which Regan was speaking.

It was a true pleasure to hear Regan's views on Government, Freedom of Speech, and faith in the American people.

This series is a must for anyone who doesn't understand what it means to be a conservative. I just wish our current President (George W) would listen and practice Regan's example of what it means to be a conservative.

Ronald Regan knew how the world works, and the role the US Government should play in the lives not only US Citizens, but to the entire world.

I doesn't really matter if you're a dem or a rep, this is a voice that can speak to you if you're an american.

No, I didn't agree with everything the Gipper said but I always listened.

First rate audio. First rate documentary. First rate ideas.

No matter what your political affiliation is, there is no denying Ronald Reagan was one of the greatest speakers and leaders of our time. The collection of audio commentaries by the 40th president of the United States is an everlasting testimomy to the personality and opinions which reached out and captivated a nation. After listening to his warm voice and sharp wit,it soon becomes apparent how he could almost effortlessly attract and win most people over with his words. The collection of commentaries contained in this CD, were recorded from his radio days prior to becoming president and provide insight into some of the issues and concerns of the American public during the 1970's. Its such a great collection, that his voice, thoughts and charisma remain with you long after listening to the CD.

It was during the 2000 and 2004 elections that my father would often reflect upon the Reagan radio addresses of the late 70's, further convincing me that Reagan's greatest ideas were spread, not by text or television, but by radio, at first

To my father, and to many others, Reagan's Presidency started with these radio addresses, that gave Reagan the greatest opportunities in expressing his greatest concerns for our country, and his best solutions towards them

In turn, I was eager to hear some of these addresses, and I'm extremely thankful that scholars like Kiron Skinner have finally put them together

In this Audio CD, you will find a cluster of many radio addresses ---- humorous, political, storytelling, etc ----- most of them focus upon the Soviet Union, and many spotlight exactly how Reagan presented his thesis against the "Evil Empire" ---- listening to them makes you wanna travel in a time machine and cast a vote for President Reagan

They are also easy to listen too, as 95% of this audio CD is Reagan's addresses, and little of it is taken up by commentators or other authors --- the best part is that they take all of Reagan's best commentaries and play them through completely! No interruptions, and no quick takes --- just pure Reagan!

And as always, Reagan's optimism and love of storytelling definitely comes through

For me, I purchased this version off of the iTunes music store (iTMS), and loaded it onto my iPod, where I was able to listen to it during long drives over this last year ----- it made me feel like I was driving in the year of 1979, being convinced to vote for Reagan over Carter ---- I don't even know if President Reagan, himself, knew that his greatest immortalization would be within an Apple iPod???

In turn, its a great set! My biggest appreciation goes to Kiron Skinner, a very accomplished scholar of African American heritage, and Hoover Institute Fellow, who has put together this great set

My only criticism is that it is too short ----- even for 5 to 6 hours!!!! My deepest hopes are that Skinner considers a sequal

Thank you all and happy listening!!!!

I have been fascinated by the Shroud ever since I read a decidedly church biased book back in the early '60's. This impeccably researched book is both pure reportage and emotional at the same time. It illustrates the Crucifixion in undeniable truths,because of the author's clarity and descriptive power. The chapters regarding the scientific analyses of the shroud, and the plentiful, fully documented results present a very strong case for the Shroud's genuineness. The many chapters about the Shroud's history are extremely well documented, and are tied together into a cohesive whole. The only flaw in this great book, (and it is a small one,) is that the illustrations are somewhat murky and hard to see. As a skeptic and an agnostic, this book was a true revelation. To a person of deep faith, I would say,"Read this!", for it will not only reconfirm and strengthen your faith, but will enhance your understanding of what the passion was like for Jesus the man. This is a superior book.

Five Stars? Oh! You'd better believe it!
The previous reviewers have done a very admirable job in extolling this "WONDER-FULL" book. I merely wish to add my voice to the chorus singing its praises.

THE SHROUD OF TURIN is an ancient burial cloth containing the mysterious image of a Man who had evidently been crucified - believed by many to be Jesus Christ. The internationally renowned, Peruvian poet, Yoey O'Dogherty, once wrote, "Nothing astounds like Truth." And the truth that has made The Shroud the most studied and least understood artifact on planet Earth is astounding indeed!

About 4 years ago, I happened to catch the author, MARK ANTONACCI, being interviewed on a radio program and found his statements so interesting that I went right out and acquired a copy of his book, 'THE RESURRECTION OF THE SHROUD.' From a young age, I had been intrigued by the implications of the Shroud although my knowledge was limited. Like countless millions of other people, when the 1988 Carbon-14 dating test results were announced, "proving" the Shroud to be a hoax conceived between 1260 and 1390 A.D., I thought, "Well, so it goes." Of course, I've learned A LOT about human nature and some so-called "scientists" since then. I'm not so gullible anymore, and after reading 'THE RESURRECTION OF THE SHROUD', I'm more intrigued than ever by this extraordinary treasure!

In the preface, the former agnostic, Mark Antonacci, relates how he was somewhat mysteriously goaded into investigating the Shroud, and how in pacing his apartment, reluctantly pondering some of its unfathomable anomalies, it suddenly hit him in midstep, "If all of the possible implications from the scientific examination were true, it would not be bad news - it would be good news."

Give Antonacci credit for having been an intellectually honest skeptic, unlike the flapjack who wrote the Kirkus review that our host has unwittingly presented in its Editorial section. That writer says that 'THE RESURRECTION OF THE SHROUD' "is unlikely to win any converts among empirical-minded skeptics." BALDERDASH! That is EXACTLY the sort of person who will be knocked for a loop by this great book! Actually, it is the intellectually dishonest (scared out of his wits) individual who will not permit himself to be converted, who will dismiss it. I know there are willfully ignorant people out there, but you'd hope that they could at least be a bit more imaginative and less blatant in their efforts to mislead others with their bias.

True, the book explores some fairly heavy scientific principles, but necessarily so. Unless the reader understands the science behind it, they will fail to appreciate the incomprehensible attributes of the Shroud. But if it makes you feel any better, I can tell you with perfect honesty that I'm one of the least mathematically and scientifically-minded people on God's green earth! I must be operating from the "left field" side of the brain, or something. If I could follow the science, so will you. I found the information unspeakably fascinating because of its portent.

Once you've grasped the complexity of it, you'll understand why John Walsh has written, "The Shroud of Turin is either the most awesome and instructive relic of Jesus Christ in existence...or it is one of the most ingenious, most unbelievably clever products of the human mind and hand on record. It is one or the other; there is no middle ground." And how the respected scientist, John Heller, could claim that, "If you were to give me a budget of ten million dollars and told me to make a replica of [the Shroud]...I would not know how to do it."

You'll learn why the faction that wants us to believe that the Shroud (which displays many anomalies that contemporary science can't even explain) is the handiwork of a medieval artist, doesn't have a leg to stand on. And why the Carbon-14 dating procedure, which supposedly put the final nail in the Shroud's coffin, was unreliable to say the least!

Antonacci's book examines the Shroud from every conceivable angle, including the very possible and enlightening connection between It and the Mandylion - gee whillikers! (Oops. Is one still allowed to say, "gee whillikers" in 2005?) It left this reader thoroughly mesmerized. Buy it and be amazed. Be VERY AMAZED!

I could go on all day about this book, but I'm going to pack it in here. I gotta go find that deceptive Kirkus Reviewer now and take him out to the woodshed. (Oh, come on, I'm only kidding! I know that God wouldn't approve of that. ...Would He?)

In the last few years a great deal of discussions have taken place regarding the existence of Jesus of Nazareth and some have even come to deny his actual existence in the form of a human being. ASARIM has gone back in time and located the true garden where his physical body was laid to rest after he was tortured by the Romans and crucified. Jesus was laid on this shroud without a doubt, and we think Mark Antonacci proves this fact. Asarim only adds in passing that the Sudarium found in the Cathedral of Oviedo contains blood of the same man. The Sudarium came directly from Jerusalem to Spain and was never contaminated. As for the question did Jesus die on the cross? Asarim holds that the blood found was "live" blood and not of a "dead" human being. Jesus was given "Vinum Moratum" before his passion and therefore was able to survive being crucified. Pontious Pilate had already agreed with Jesus that all this would be carried out to fullfill the scriptures and that Jesus would be able to go to Rome and meet the others upon healing. To prove this theory, Asarim has used the Shroud, Sudarium, other artifacts and historic accounts found in the Vatican about the birth and extension of Christianity. Asarim highly recommends this book for all those that need new scientific, medical and archeological evidence that Jesus was and is alive, and continues to live amongst us in our soul and hearts.

This book's "radiation" theory of image creation isn't as far fetched or a radical leap of reasoning as skeptics would have you believe. Why? Because the peer reviewed, scientific findings of a image composed of dehydrated, surface linen fibrils defies any "natural" explanation.

The image isn't a paint, powder, stain or transfer image. It's not imitated by decomposition stains, sweat stains, oils or herb stains. A heat scorch can't contain the subtlety or sophistication of this relic's image. If "vapors" created the image, there would be no possibility that the image would have any focus or definition. Nor is body contact the catalyst for image creation, since a body impression would have a fattened, "fun house mirror" effect.

Add to the exclusion of these past explainations the possible x-ray qualities of the Shroud image, the 3- dimensional "distance sensitive" intensity of the image, the exterior objects near the body "imaged" on the cloth... AND...

The MOST RECENT feature discovered, one Mr. Antonacci wasn't yet informed about as he wrote this book... a faint face image on the backside of the Shroud!

Why the imprinting of only the highest image features on the backside of the cloth? If it was paint or sweat responsible, it would diffuse outward and not be limited to (mostly) the face. Skin oils and sweat would had also darkened the Shroud man's "posterior" image dramatically... the back and buttocks which had the most weight pressure on the linen... yet the Shroud's back image is as subtle as the front image!!

Mark promoted the theory that the cloth collapsed through an image creating field of energy. The faint imprinting on the exterior side of the Shroud seems to validate this!

This theory now has support... discovered AFTER this book was released!!

As for whether the man in the Shroud is Jesus, consider... the Romans didn't always nail crucifixion victims; that a crown of thorns mocking of this victim should be unique to Jesus; the man was severely scourged; that this man had the athletic build of a manuel laborer (Carpenter, Stone Mason); was a young Jewish man beaten severely. The man was DEAD, as shown by the stiff, "rigor mortis" quality of the body image and the hemorrhage of the spear wound. And most significantly...

This crucified, Jewish "criminal" had a wealthy friend or relative who gave him a high quality linen Shroud! (Aka, Joseph of Arimetha?) Only high quality linens found at "Masada" featured the fine "invisible seaming" that this Shroud does.

This cruified Jewish "criminal" was allowed the privelege of burial!! Most crucifixion victims were considered defiled or cursed ("by the wood of the tree"), and were thrown on a disgusting pile of public decomposition by the brutal Romans. Dogs and crows routinely consumed the remains of crucified victims.

The man in the Shroud didn't decompose.

And the final point... ancient Jews overcame their aversion to "unclean" burial clothes and KEPT ... and PRESERVED... this shroud !! The blood stains ALONE would had prevented any normal Jewish individual from handling the cloth. Obviously, the man kept in this Shroud was considered "Holy," with "Holy blood."

How could this man NOT be Jesus?

Jeff Messenger, author of the novel "The Shroud of Torrington."

The Shroud of Turin is the most thoroughly researched artifact in the history of the world. Because of its wealth of astonishing attributes, the Shroud of Turin has draw over a quarter million hours of research by research scientists (mostly at personal expense) between 1977 and 2000--for good reason. All this rigorous attention is due soley to the merits and rewards they have reaped as they continue discovering its wonders.

Of all the books I have read about the Shroud of Turin, this is by far the most excellent, thorough, well researched, and well documented. Yochanan (John) records in his gospel that the miracles recorded of Yeshua (Jesus) were only the tip of the iceberg (John 20:30; 21:25). Back in those days people had different opinions about the miracles: some rejected them, some doubted, some believed (but took it all for granted), and some were appreciative and glorified God. Everyone must draw their own conclusions about the Shroud--don't let others and media spin masters make up your mind for you. When it comes to the Shroud, the powerful amazement of it lies in its details. If you do not know the details, you are missing the boat. This is the book to find those details. The more technology grows, the more they research the Shroud, the more powerful and impressive it is. Quantum leaps in technology uncover, corespondingly, quantum leaps in hitherto hidden mindboggling aspects about the Shroud. It seems evident to me that Yeshua has left this as a special sign, especially for our generation. We are the first generation to have the scientific technology to fathom the wonders of the Shroud. You owe it to yourself to investigate for yourself and draw your own conclusions. This is the book to give you the best coverage and analysis of the details among all the books I have read. My commendations to the author, Mark Antonacci, for his excellent work, resulting from 20 years of writing and research!

Riding With Reagan: From the White House to the Ranch: From the White House to the RanchThis is an excellent book and I enjoyed reading it. It was very well written and interesting reading. Very good book.

I had personal reason to buy this after seeing the author on C-span Book TV since I knew people close to one of those mentioned in the book. Can't say who or how it got to her, but after reading it got a nod and wink. Think you'll do the same.

Barietta lets us into the inner circle outside Reagan's 'kitchen cabinet'. He paints a picture of Reagan that allows one to understand the essence of the man; his connection with the individual, and as such, the people. The author's allegiance to the President does not cloud the reality of the relationship between these two men. Despite the professional connection, Reagan had a way, I summize, to bridge that barrier and maintain a bond that is clear through the author's typewritten words.

This was a wonderful look, and the personal side of a great man. These are truly memorable moments from John Barletta, written in an honest, detailed and interesting manner. Well worth the read.

John Barletta, through his insight and understanding, with a rock-solid foundation of character and integrity, has connected with President Reagan as few others ever have. Reagan's inner-core and genuine goodness, plus our personal contact with him and the guidelines and special bonds we forged with this uncommon man were granted to a few of us who were privileged to spend those rare moments at his side while his core values transferred, as if by osmosis, to our minds and our hearts.

Barletta's view and understanding of Reagan is exceptional and true. His pleasant,easy-to-read, conversational style of writing is reader-friendly and gives the reader a "you are there" "eyewitness" feeling. The author had to come away from each experience with RR feeling more and more as if he were part of Reagan's extended family; an almost brotherly connection for the two of them.

It sure did for a few of us who were there at the beginning of RR's political career, like Edwin Meese III, Wm.P. Clark, Lyn Nofziger and Tom Reed.
What a pleasure NOT having to wade though pages of footnotes and notes to get to the meaning of this remarkable book. Not necessary when the author is intimately aware of his subject, as Barletta is. No nonsense, fabrications or embellishments in this book; just the facts--- beautifully explained. Thanks! Curtis Patrick, author, REAGAN: WHAT WAS HE REALLY LIKE?

One thing that poverty didn't diminish is Woodruff's powers of recall. Though, as soon as he becomes literate, one senses he'll inexorably transcend his meagre beginnings which ring most vividly in this tale. I loved the regional patois as much as the rising political conscience of the working class boy. The years roll by with the daily grind, humilities accompanying the unjust disenfranchisement of workers; Dickensian conditions that were worse in Lancanshire than other industrial zones. Woodruff's effortless prose is as tough as his father's persistent presence and as nuanced as his mum's mercurial mood shifts. Fortunately for readers,'Nab's End' is no end, but a beginning to further tales from post adolesence. Having just closed the covers on Roy McFadyen's, 'at A Cost', I opened Woodruff to discover a parallel story in times bedevilled by poverty and dire economic depression. If you want to visit the comparison and find, at a pinch, an even more extraordinary childhood,'At a Cost' is published and distributed by its author @ 15 Maryann Street, Golden Beach, Queensland, Australia 4551.

This is a wonderful book which, as an Anglophile, I loved reading. Just a word to those who feel it some of the terms are American. Remember, please, that the author is now living in the US, and new terms become automatically one's own after a while. And yes, there is a sequel to this book!

You don't have to have been born in Blackburn (as I was) to appreciate this wonderful true story of a childhood in poverty with all the wit and humour and honesty of the working class. Their hopes for a better and fairer future are vivid and the story ends with an emotional desire from the reader to know how and if this young man succeeds as he takes his steps away from Lancashire. Inevitably the reader will read the sequel Beyond Nab End which is even better but read this first.

William Woodruff and I have something in common; we were both born and reared poor in Lancashire, doubly lucky as Mr Woodruff puts it. The book itself is a reader, you pick it up and you can't put it down. There is always something else you want to read in the next chapter. It is a shame the book had an ending to it as it leaves you wanting more.

Like one of the other reviewers I was a bit disappointed when the text was dumbed down, probably for our American cousins, as little discrepancies showed through the text. For instance, stating ten pennies instead of ten pence (we would have said it 'tenpunce') and the absolute glaring mistake of calling a tanner 6p when it should have been 6d and a dodger is 3d not 3p. Little details like this tend to eat at me.

The book was easy to read and if you know a little about Lancashire, specifically Blackburn, you will find it fascinating.

Tim Brimelow 19 May 2003

I came upon this book after hearing brief snippets of it serialised BBC Radio 4 and the World Service.
It had added interest for me as I know Blackburn (at least modern Blackburn) very well, it was later a surprise to discover I knew virtually nothing of the town.
The book is evocative and stirring as you follow the authors journey from early childhood to his 16th year, when he finally leaves a deprived, economically and spiritual broken town for London, in hope of work and a better life.
The journey in between is a rich array of colourful and long forgotton characters and ways of life. Most striking by far is the harshness of past societies in which the poor were virtually ground into the dirt and totally at mercy of commerce. Yet still the love and joy of these kindly, caring and sweet natured people shines through, it took a great deal to make them lose all hope. One cannot help but to think that these poor and hardworking forbares made more than a little of the muscle in the British national psyche.
The Authors journey is one of love, loss and curiousity, his intelligence is meant for better things than the dust and grime of cotton mills but so hard worked are his people and he that this realisation is a long time coming.
Highlights characters are Grandma Bridget and the lovley Aunts he visits in Summer. Quite a journey and very much a joy to read.