Smith Books

Although this book was written in 2000, when I saw it at a book boutique I bought it immediately...a fabulous book on a unique culinary culture for those who love to delve into french cooking recipes. I highly recommend it! The photos transport you back there and it has made me so homesick to return to Paris again even though I return there every year when I can to visit family there and have always made it a pilgrimmage to go to the Marches a few times a week, especially to the 'Richard Lenoir Marche at Place de La Bastille in the 11th arrondisement...you can spend the entire morning (they close at 1PM) there perusing from table to table and end your day walking home in the streets of Paris with a tote-ful of delicacies to prepare the sumptious evening 'repas'
The varieties of each food are endless and fabulous and fresh, the colors of the fruits and vegetables are brilliant, the energy at the marches are exhuberant, and venders are so proud of their products...This book really does take you back to feeling like you are there in the midst of a culinary feast; the recipes are easy and with US measurements, and the descriptions of each arrondisement gives you such a personal tour that you feel akin to each personality they present you with. This is really the true colloquial joie de vivre experience in Paris-a way to commune with nature's bounty. I highly recommend this book; 5 stars!! a true feast for the eyes!!

Nicolle Aimee Meyer and Amanda Pilar Smith have created a book that is part travel guide, part cookbook, part biography -- and all wonderful! The photographs are terrific. The text brings the markets and their people to life. And I can't wait to try some of the recipes, which are for many classic French favorites. Altogether a complete success! Bravo!!

Beautiful photography and lively writing make this a perfect gift this holiday season (or any time) for anyone who likes to eat and loves Paris. Even for a longtime resident of the City of Lights like myself, this book brings another Paris to life, one you will want to explore again and again, in these pages and of course like the authors did themselves, bicycling through every arrodisement, leaving no quartier unvisited, no fromage untasted, no croissant unfinished! A magnificent and original hommage sure to earn its place among the classics of cuisine and travel.

A must for anyone seeking out the real Paris, off the beaten track of tourist traps. Even if you can't visit more than two or three markets per visit to this wonderful city, this book will continue to be a major reference for seeking out these fascinating places of food, drink and 'objets'. Happy exploring!

I love this book! The cover roped me right in and before I knew it I was buying it. I am so glad I did. The book is organized by arrondissement; each chapter is devoted to one of them. They tend to focus on the biggest or best market in each arrondissement but they devote paragraphs to the others. The text itself is gracefully written and yet very convivial. For each of the main markets, the authors start you out on a typical Parisian morning and gently suggest the path you might want to follow as you navigate that particular market; it is almost as though they are walking along with you. They tell you what's available at each market and what are each market's strengths and weaknesses. You will be introduced to a lot of people - the butcher at the Marché d'Aligre, the poissonier at the Richard Lenoir, the organic farmer at the Batignolles market, the interesting old fellow who hawks bath salts as he soaks his feet in green water... I feel as though I'd be able to walk up to them and say hi. There's some history mixed in there, too, so you'll get to see some nice old photos and learn about everday Parisians of the past. And of course there are the recipes. Most of them appear delicious and a few rather exotic. Many of them come from the very people that you "met" in the chapter preceding, so you know they're authentic and the human element makes you want to try the recipe all the more.

I love Paris. This book really gives you a sense of what it is like to be there - colorful, vibrant, stately, modern, classic, young, old... Paris is all of these things and more at once. I went there seven years ago and I don't think I hit a single market. This book makes me feel incredibly well-equipped; I think that without it I would feel a bit intimidated. I plan to go back and I'm gonna bring this book with me!

This was given to me as a gift and am not sure I would've bought it on my own. But I listened to the entire unabridged Audio CD set and it was fine. I think about 70% of the material I already knew; there were a few new bits of information and insight that I gained. If nothing else it gives you a sense of how accurate the Patton movie starring George C. Scott is. One way in which the Patton movie may NOT be accurate is that Axelrod's book states that the slapping incident(s) in Sicily were NOT the reason that Patton was not given responsibility for, or direct involvement in, Operation Overlord. Apparently the decision to put Bradley in charge was made before the slapping incident occured.

This would be a good book or tape/CD to give to a young man or woman in their teens who wishes to begin to learn about this particular great American military man and the times in which he lived.

General George Patton was a great, aggressive leader who had no fear of death. He could lead people where they thought they could not go. He was devout believer in Christ, a fatalist, and really believed himself a reincarnation of a past general. He loved war like Napoleon loved it, and when in one, always was attacking.

I knew little about him before I read the book, and now I feel I have an understanding of his character. He was a man full of contradictions as the book will explain - things you wouldn't expect - like his inner self-doubt and depression, and his outer utter-confidence.

Although they had minor differences of opinion, the conservativeness of Eisenhower and the aggressiveness of Patton with their similar beliefs and background made them a great team during the war.

Patton was a natural leader, and the book reveals his character with all his idiosyncrasies. I would recommend the book to anyone who has general interest into Patton or WWII.

I generally thought that this book was not particularly well written, I spotted a typo in the first of the book that could have been corrected with some editing. The writing was certainly not complex: more like a middle school text. However, I found the facts of Patton's life extrodinary.

This concise but authoritative biography of General George S. Patton, Jr. is the perfect text for the person who desires a penetrating biography of this legendary General without the length of some of the more complete biographies out there.

As others have already posted, this is an easy-to-read biography that makes a great introduction to Patton's life, and for many readers this is complete enough to stop here. Alexrod does a great job of capturing the essence of Patton's life and philosophy in such a brief biography.

The book starts out strong with the introduction by General Wesley K. Clark, and I can't help but agree with his sentiment that Patton was a winner, a morale- and team-builder who adapted quickly and sought to master every challenge and that we need leaders like Patton today.

Axelrod has written an excellent concise biography of General Patton. I recommend it to anyone who wants a quick overview of his life and desires an introduction to this great general. I also recommend it to those that have read more exhaustive biographies on General Patton as I have. Sure, I was familiar with what was written because I have read the longer texts on his life, but I enjoyed this quick read about one of my favorite generals. If you like Patton or want to know more about him, this is a great little book.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author, speaker
Hard-Won Wisdom From The School of Hard Knocks, Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, and The Lock On Joint Locking series

In my humble opinion, this title is one of the best biographies I've read in a long time. While the book contains only about 180 pages, the account is thorough and does not get bogged down in a dry summary of war strategy and tactics that afflicts other books.

Axelrod is able to describe in appropriate detail many aspects of Patton's life:

1. His early childhood in California, time at Virginia Military Institute, and ultimately graduating from West Point.
2. Involvement in the expedition against Pancho Villa and World War 1.
3. Rise to fame in World War 2.
4. Relationship with Eisenhower, Bradley, Montgomery, and other WW2 officers.
5. Relationship with enlisted men (including the 2 slapping incidents).
6. Tempestuous marriage to his wife Beatrice and his supposed reputation as a ladies' man.
7. The automobile wreck that led to his untimely death.

The part I enjoyed reading the most was probably the author's description of this highly effective general and most complex individual's personality. On the one hand, there is no doubt that while Patton played a significant role in WW2, many people disliked him. However, no one can argue with his point that Russia should have been dealt with much more firmly at the conclusion of WW2. Events from the 1940s - 1980s proved him to be correct.

A highly recommended read. Read and enjoy learning about one of our nation's greatest generals.

Leaving off from The Strange Power (Dark Visions, Book 1) Kait & Co. must escape from the Psychic Enemies Network. The posse must literally follow their dreams to a mysterious house.
Problems are:
Rob and Gabriel still hate each other
Gabriel and Kait realize their feelings for each other
Thanks to Mr. Zetes, they are now fugitives...
Then there's the whole "psychic vampire" thing.
I love this book.
Kait is a strong capable heroine who inspires loyalty and trust.
Gabriel becomes a more sympathetic character and Mr. Zetes true insidiousness is revealed
Followed by:
The PASSION (DARK VISIONS 3): THE PASSION

Living in england I have been trying to but this series, when I eventually bought this book I wasn't disappionted what a brillient series shame though that L.J. Smith hasn't continued writing romance horror and supernatual. I enjoyed reading the book and have read them several times.

i thought his was the best of the dark visions trilogy by far.. which really is saying a lot because it is a great series. i love the friendship and attraction between kaitlyn and gabriel that develops in this book.. their chemistry kept me interested and in suspense to see who she picked.

She's done vampires, witches and shadow-creatures, and in this trilogy L. J. Smith tackles psychics, namely five psychics in particular - Kaitlyn Fairchild, Rob Kessler, Gabriel Wolfe, Anna Whiteraven and Lewis Chao (where does she get these names?)
In the first book 'The Strange Power' the five teenagers were united by Emmanuel Zetes and his lackey Joyce Piper under the pretence of helping them control and understand their individual psychic abilities whilst also educating them and supplying them with scholarships for university. However, the teens found out eventually that this was not the case - what Mr Zetes was really up to was to change them into a 'psychic swat-team' and sell their psychic services off to the highest bidder. Horrified, the teens flee the house, which is where 'The Possession' picks up, but with a few differences: all five of them are telepathically linked with each other, and one of their members - Gabriel - is now forced to feed off other people's energy in order to survive.

So where 'The Strange Power' was an introduction to the teens and their powers (which include healing abilities, animal communication, telepathy, future divination and telekinesis) and 'The Passion' is Kaitlyn's infilteration back into the Zetes Institute, 'The Possession' is the journey of the five runaways to find the mysterious house that they have all dreamt of - a white house over a strech of water where voices call out to them.

On their road-trip however, they have to deal with the continuous presence of each other in their minds, the police, their parents, the mysterious location of their white house, Gabriel's need for human substanence, a new arrival, and an onslaught of attacks from Mr Zetes and his 'dark psychics' - those students who had come before them under Mr Zetes's tutorledge. However they are not without their own resources - their own powers guide and substain them, and they find allies in Anna's parents, Tony - the brother of Marisol (who had been a helper at the Zetes Institute and purposely put in a coma by Mr Zetes), an intriguing newcomer by the name of Lydia, and of course the mysterious beings of the white house - a climax that does not disappoint.

L. J. Smith again creates good, solid, interesting characters - especially those of the psychics and their individual talents - and she is a master of creating the 'bad boy', in this case Gabriel Wolfe. You only need to have a look at some of the other reviews to see how he effects pre-teens. Likewise Kaitlyn is a strong heroine, though L. J. spends a bit too much time describing her appearance and how beautiful she is (just once I'd like to see an unattractive L. J. Smith heroine!) and backup characters are likewise interesting and realistic. I especially appreciated the 'shades of grey' L. J. places within the books - there are not simply black and white/good and evil characters but rather those that hover on the boundries such as Lydia, Gabriel, and even to some extent Kaitlyn herself. Gabriel's revelation at the climax of the books when he is faced with pure (though ridgid) goodness and realises he can never become part of it is especially thought-provoking.

There are a few faults however - all her descriptions of psychic phenomena (such the feelings the psychics experience, the power of the crystal, the psychic attacks, the 'third eye' business and the transfering of people's energy into Gabriel) are rather difficult to grasp. Gabriel's description as a 'psychic vampire' I felt was a bit much, especially since L. J. Smith conveniantly makes the neck the best transfer place for energy and it was only young women that Gabriel 'feasted' on - it got a little too vampiric for me, and I thought these books were to be about *psychics*, not drawing out ideas from her previous books.
Likewise, the teenagers never seem to actually *use* their psychic abilities - Kaitlyn draws pictures, but essentially her premonitions are useless as she can never stop what they show her is to pass. On the other hand Lewis and Anna seem to have extrodinarily useful powers, but they use them only once each on the entire journey.

But anyway, if you are an L. J. Smith fan, then these books shouldn't disappoint. As usual, you have to get all three of them and read them in order to get the full benefit of them, but once again L. J. delievers what she promises with her token mystery, suspence, love triangle, teenage protaginists, 'bad boy' and touches of the supernatural.

The Kaitlyn and company are on the run from Mr. Zetes. They go in search of the house in Kait's dreams. But they aren't alone. Zetes sends these ghostly figures after them. In the end we find out who the figures are and trust me, it's a surprise. While this is going on Gabriel was turned into a psychic vampire by the crystal. But Kait finds out and she decides to help him out by giving him her energy. But one time during the process Kait goes deep into Gabriel's mind and finds out that he loves her. What will happen to all of them?

GABRIEL IS HOTT! KAIT IS LUCKY! L.J. writes another hit!

Good book for beginners...I am a nurse and my daughter is starting school for her Associate towards her nursing degree...good book.

I'm an interpreter and this book is being very exciting to read, easy to carry around and easy to understand. It has graphics, and tests is a very good book.

Great book. Easy to understand and programmed text creates a good way of reinforcing what is learned. I have bought copies for all of my office staff and they find it very helpful.

The only medical terms I knew, before I got this book, were from "House" the Tv show. I didn't even understand much of it then. I can't wait to go back and watch it over and understand what they are saying.

This book is very useful in learning helpful medical terminology. It is easy to use and has helpful quizes at the end of each chapter.

I really enjoyed the book! It was a real page turner - very fast paced. The characters were real and the author took time to develop them well. I took the book with me everywhere because I wanted to get back to it anytime I had a free moment. This is the perfect summer beach or poolside book. Reign Storm is a must read!

Storm Peterson was spoiled from the moment she was conceived. The only daughter in a family of five- it's either Storm's way or no way until she meets a famous R&B singer who only wants one thing - to get into those cute little panties of hers. Left scorned by his - love `em and leave `em antics- Storm sets out to avenge herself, but not only puts herself in jeopardy- because he is not the one to be played with - but her entire family as well. Ms. Smith has created an awesome story with believable characters, circumstances and situations that is most engaging from the first sentence. Excellent job done and best wishes for a successful writing career.

Sheila Peele-Miller
Author - Painted Picture

Storm Peterson soon finds out the hard way that beauty is only skin deep. Blessed with attractive features and well to do parents who overcompensate her accomplishments with expensive gifts, Storm is certain no one can deny her charm. She sets her sights on becoming the girl on the arm of her favorite male singer, Mr. R&B. But Mr. R&B sends Storm on a dangerous ride she isn't ready for. After a single visit to Mr. R&B's mansion, Storm becomes involved in a deadly game she doesn't know how to play.

Reign Storm is a must read for young adult females.

Deanna Michelle Smith has written an exciting but cautionary tale.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME OUT. I HOPE THAT EVERYONE ENJOYS READING ABOUT STORM'S MANY ESCAPADES. YOUNG LADIES LEARN FROM HER LESSONS AND NOT FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES. DON'T BE FOOLED AND LURED TO SELF DESTRUCTION BECAUSE OF SOCIETY'S MISREPRESENTED GLAMOUR. EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS, AIN'T GOLD. PLEASE BELIEVE!

REIGN STORM by Deanna Michelle Smith is the story of Storm, a beautiful high school student who thinks the world revolves around her. Not only is she beautiful but she drives a nice car, wears expensive clothes, attends the best school, has the perfect boyfriend and gets everything she wants because her parents spoil her abundantly. Storm believes her beauty is the key to success, and even though her best friend tries to tell her beauty is only skin deep, it falls on deaf ears. She is so caught up in glamour and materialism she ends up in a situation that is not only detrimental to her well-being, but is sure to affect those she loves in a disastrous way.

REIGN STORM is a wonderfully written book that touches on innocence, heartbreak and revenge. It teaches young girls a lesson that there is more to life than looks and money. There is also a lesson for parents to not spoil their children with whatever their heart desires, or the person they become in their adult life will be unhappy, selfish and shallow. The characters were very well-developed so much so that you could not only visualize Storm, but also her parents. I could almost contemplate their moves. Smith did an excellent job writing a novel that not only kept my attention, but had a surprise twist at the end. Smith's debut novel is sure to be a winner among both young girls and older women.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I loved this as a child and my son loves it just as much now that I have introduced it to him. A true classic for kids.

A continuation of a great book. To be able not just to find these houses, but to actually get to live in one... I'm fairly sure this is where my dream of buying an old Victorian fixer-upper came from. It's not a sequel that you wish had never been written, it's one that you're extremely grateful was written. It continues with the same air of mystery - things to be found, adventures to be discovered - all while providing a very happy ending for all of those involved. Definitely a classic that I plan on sharing with my own children someday.

I am spending this summer re-reading all of my favorite children's books. I have a copy of Gone Away Lake, and was thrilled to obtain a copy of the sequel. I also have other books by Elizabeth Enright and hope that my granddaughter will enjoy them as much as I did (and still do). Ms Enright is a great writer.

I discovered this sequel to the original "Gone Away Lake" just recently, and was surprised because I never realized it existed! Having read "Gone Away" as an adolescent, I was caught up in the story immediately, and always wondered what happened after the story ended. Well, now I know! In fact this sequel is just as good as the original, and actually seems like more of a continuation of the original story than a sequel. You will fall in love all over again with not only the story but the characters as well. Miss Enright just seemed to know exactly how to tell a story to hold a reader's interest and make the characters unforgettable. While written for children, these stories will also capture the imagination of adults, many of whom will remember the original story from their childhood. Kudos to Elizabeth Enright...she will be sorely missed!

I loved this book as a child, looking forward to giving my nephew a copy. Give your children a break from video games and violent movies...

Do you like adventure books? If you do here's a book. Bone is a great book. Phoney Bone and his cousin Smiley Bone have a Rat creature cub. They go up to the Mountains and try to let it go. But they run into two other Rat creaatures. Will they make it away? Read to find out. Recommended for all cartoon lovers.

We have been patiently awaiting the release of what appears to be another printing of this book. My 8 year old really doesn't like to read...except for the Bone Series. I haven't read them yet but my 12 year old likes them also. I'm just happy to find something he will willingly read. Thank you Jeff Smith!

I have the other four Bone books and they are all in color and have Bone volume_ in the title. Is this book in the same series and in color or do I just have newer or older versions of these graphic novels. I love these books and i just want to know the answer to this question so I don't make a bad buy off Amazon.

Thanks...

"Rock Jaw: Master Of The Eastern Border" is the fifth volume in the nine volume Bone series, which makes it the halfway point. Once again Jeff Smith has done an excellent job of blending humor, mystery and fantasy to create a great tale of adventure

This volume is one great chase sequence, following Fone and Smiley in their adventure where they try to return Bartleby (The Rat Cub) to his people. Along the way they meet the two outcast Rat Creatures, Rock Jaw, an unusual group of orphans, the possum kids, and Kingdok and his Rat Creature followers. Smith is ingenious in mixing in dialogue that advances the overall adventure, with the action of the chase. We learn more about Thorn, the history of the area, and other aspects of the story, even though Thorn, Rose, Lucius, and Phoney don't appear at all.

bone rocks its funny romantique and there's a new adventures adventure in evty onE

This series is enthralling for my 10 year old daughter (who reads at a 8th grade level). It has adventure, danger, excitement and folklore to capture and maintain interest.

Young Aidan now serves at the court of King Darrrow. But his popularity also makes him dangerous enemies. Things come to a head when Darrow receives an anonymous letter claiming that Aidan is maneuvering to overthrow Darrow. Furious, the king sends Aidan into Feechiefen Swamp on a perilous quest. When Aidan reaches the swamp, he learns of a feechie war band led by the WilderKing. Who is this imposter? This second installment raises the stakes from the first book

Jonathan Rogers obviously loves C.S. Lewis' world of Narnia (see "The World According to Narnia"), and decided to create another fantasy world where kids and adults alike can see many "heart issues" of life portrayed in a creative way. The Secret of the Swamp King (Book 2 of the Wilderking Trilogy) is a great read for kids as they can imagine themselves in the shoes of Aiden Errolson. Aiden is the main character whose life is followed on his many adventures and challenges through his life in The Realms of Corenwald. Though he lives in a world totally foreign to the reader, it is very easy to relate to his troubles and joys during his journeys.
The book is a great link for the trilogy, leading to the more impressive climax in the 3rd book, "The Way of the Wilderking".
Well worth the time, especially to read with/give to kids.

I've got to hand it to MR. Rogers, he's done a wonderful job of following up on young Aidan Errolson. He's now a few years older and a member of King DArrow's court. True to the biblical parallels with David, Aidan has incurred the jealous wrath of his king. He may be the most loyal member of King Darrow's court, but Aidan is sent on a suicide mission to the Feechiefen Swamp in order to retrieve the legendary Frog Orchid. King Darrow thinks to see the end of young Aidan, but he meets up with his friend Dobro and becomes a Feechie friend to all Feechies. There's someone impersonating the legendary Wilderking out in the Feechifen and Aidan must find out who is enslaving Feechies to the civilizers ways of war and commerce. This book has more action and more intrigue to it. I loved it and read it in two days. Highly recommended!--James Somers, author: The Chronicles of Soone.

Our whole family has read the entire Wilderking Trilogy and has loved them all. The Secret of the Swamp King is my 8 year old son's favorite book of all time -- and he has read many! He started reading and didn't come up for air until the last page was turned! It is inspiring and refreshing to find present day literature that matches the calibur of older classics.

dinesen/blixen was a true, living Scheherazade. this is an astounding collection of stories within stories within stories within stories. beautifully, elegantly written and set in various european locales, starring wonderfully alive characters straight out of fairytales, dreams and myth. these are strange, magical narratives (novellas, to be a stickler) with a modern sensibility. brimming with metaphors that will make you pause. kind of a cross between e.t.a. hoffman and a.s. byatt. definitely going to read more of her stuff.

This is a demanding work of seven multilayered and esoteric stories in this, Dinesen's first book.

We know of Dinesen more commonly by way of Meryl Streep, who played Dinesen, or the Baroness Karen Blixen, in "Out of Africa." But the woman we find here as the author of these stories is no easily-understood, Hollywood character. Her stories within stories are rich in symbolism, imagination, and a "long ago and far away" feeling that is carefully, carefully, controlled by the author. Dinesen wrote some of these tales in Africa, and finished others along with ordering the book back home in Denmark, after her farm had failed. She wrote, interestingly, in English (and did her own translations back into Danish later on). Many books follow this one, including LAST TALES and, of course, OUT OF AFRICA. Dinesen, while the heroic, strong, individualist of Streep's portrayal, is also kind of strange, introspective, and fabulously bizarre. She uses her stories' plot lines as a means, one feels, to work out her life philosophies, reshape and recast ideas and symbolic imagery, and impart creative insights. After getting to about the fourth or fifth story, one can see that she uses the same imagery repeatedly and even the same turns of phrase.

I have read this volume at least once before, and wanted to go through it again knowing just that much more literature and biblical references. (It helps to be well read in the classics when reading Dinesen.) Anything is up for her use, and if you don't see it, something will be lost to you as you interpret the stories and what they meant, or even, what happened. She loves Shakespeare (OUT OF AFRICA was written in five sections, after the five-act structure of Shakespearian drama), and Don Giovanni, she has interesting ideas about femininity and independent women, and symbolizes these issues with women who are doll-like, women who seem as if they can fly, women who are witches in some way or another, etc. She likes to toy with the mind of God, as well, having characters pronounce his proclivities, likes and dislikes, etc., quite often. I found these to be some of the most interesting passages, after some of the gender-defining ones, that is. (She chose her pseudonym, "Isak," as it is Hebrew for "He who laughs" and she definitely plays with many ideas here, many humorously.)

Of the seven tales (The Old Chevalier, The Roads Round Pisa, The Monkey, The Supper at Elsinore, The Dreamers, The Poet, and The Deluge at Norderney), The Roads Round Pisa is my favorite, and I have studied it for a graduate class. In the book, a mistake is the central event, and we learn of it only at the end. Our main character, Count Augustus Von Schimmelmann, is writing a letter to a friend, when a carriage accident occurs in front of him. An old woman, who seemed at first to him to be a man, is injured and asks that he go and seek out her granddaughter so that she may forgive her for an estrangement before she dies, as she believes she will do shortly. Augustus sets out for Pisa and in an inn meets a young man, with whom he engages in an interesting conversation. Soon, however, he finds out that this man is a woman, and whereas before he had been asking "him" for help in finding his way into the city, now he offers her his assistance as a gentleman. Their subsequent conversation holds a particularly compelling passage I have never forgotten. In it, Dinesen explicates a concept of women's differences, physically, psychologically and societally, from men through the artful use of the host and guest metaphor.

This passage is a key to the story's mood when toward the end the mistake around which the characters swirl is revealed. But the passage is also an interesting philosophical and societal analogy that provokes thought and discussion. This is, then, quintessential Dinesen.

The other stories deal with identity and loss (The Dreamers), a ghost who is allowed to rise up from hell whenever the sound between Denmark and Sweden freezes over (Supper at Elsinore), the mirage of lost love (The Old Chevalier), poetry and power (The Poet), the societal roles of women (The Monkey), and identity (The Deluge at Norderney), but these are very brief and basic categorizations. One could safely say that all the stories deal with many of the others' main themes. The book as a whole is an excellent study of the power of fiction to suggest and manipulate, with beautiful, evocative writing and deep and stirring underlying meanings. I recommend it.

These are strangely compelling stories, all of which evoke a sense of mystery and poetry. Floods and monkeys, skulls and puppet shows, vie with each other and figure here in short works that are too realistic for fables but too bizarre to be mistaken for reality.

Gothic surrealism might be the best way to describe the tone achieved by the author, whose real name was Karen Blixen (made familiar to modern audiences by the film "Out of Africa"). This is a reissue of a volume that first appeared in 1934.

Borrowing the author's phrase, each story is "like an echo in the engulfing darkness." Atmospheric and brooding, these tales are part Poe and part Brothers Grimm. Exotic in characterization as well as setting, we are introduced to a polyglot collection of virgin nuns and wandering n'er do wells, who cling to rooftops and journey on rhino-horn laden dhows.

Escape from the ordinary world is promised and delivered, but somehow, the people in these stories also remind us of people we know and situations that might not be as straightforward as we have assumed. A scarf may not be a scarf. The wind may be more than the wind. A scarf blown in the wind recalls to one character the memory of a little white snake -- madness is hinted at, at every turn.

They are seven distinctive tales. Yet, the evocation of place, the depiction of eccentricity, the precariousness of life, suffuse them all. They are magnetic and memorable. Even so, some readers may find the tales a bit too weird for their tastes.

If you find this review helpful you might want to read some of my other reviews, including those on subjects ranging from biography to architecture, as well as religion and fiction.

Years ago, I wrote a review on Amazon for Karen Blixen's _Winter's Tales_, where I observed that it was the equal of this book. I have no reason to revise that estimate, but feel I should point out that this book is extremely fine, and should not be ignored by people who like good writing and aren't scared off by a bit of melodrama.

The title of this review tries to make a small point: Blixen didn't write her stories with notions of the prevailing literary fashions in mind. She wrote them as she felt them, and she used a style and technique that harken back to earlier writers. In her introduction to the book, Dorothy Canfield, attempting to characterise this style, made reference to an array of writers from E.T.A. Hoffmann to Robert Louis Stevenson and Thomas Mann. Although I think the reference to Mann has merit, the truth is Blixen was genuinely unique. She doesn't really have any real imitators, either, although I've seen a number of writers allude to being influenced by her.

Back to this book: it was her first volume of short stories. Not many writers hit gold on their first book, but Blixen managed it. There was no 'prentice work as prelude, just a stream of mature works of art from this book onward.

And, goodness, she could *write*. The prose is eloquent, forceful, and full of striking phrases, images, and observations. The stories are all set in the 19th Century, and many contains elements of the gothic (hence the title) and sometimes the gruesome, as well as modernist irony and psychological insight. When it comes to characters, plots, and situations, virtually everything in the book seems beyond the ordinary. Clearly, the writer wasn't afraid to take chances. The amazing thing is that she wins most of her fictional gambles.

The first story in the book is "The Deluge at Norderney," where we have a cast of characters that seem out of Hoffmann by way of Byron, put into an extreme situation, and forced to come to terms with questions of illusion and reality in life. This story is my absolute favorite; it may not be the "best." It certainly sets the tone.

Besides "The Deluge...", the stories I'd single out for special praise are "The Monkey," "The Poet," "The Supper at Elsinore," and "The Roads Round Pisa." The remaining 2 stories in the book are a pleasure to read, although I don't feel that "The Dreamers" entirely comes off; Blixen reused the heroine of this story later in ways that lead me to think she was invested with some sort of personal significance for the author; perhaps that's why it seems less well controlled. The shortest story, "The Old Chevalier," is pleasant but feels slighter both in size and content than its companions.

Blixen's other books of stories are interesting-to-fascinating. Each book has its attractions. Admirers of this book might find _Winter's Tales_ worth their time. _Anecdotes of Destiny_, which contains "Babette's Feast" and "Tempests," is a fine collection, too, and has grown on me with the years. It isn't quite at the level of achievement of _Seven Gothic Tales_ or _Winter's Tales_, but then, how many books of stories are?

Why isn't I. Dinesen's work more widely known and accepted in the modernist pantheon? Her reputation seems to have settled into that of oddball literary personality and vehicle for Meryl Streep, however the work itself would have eluded me, despite a decent education in high school and university (for example, I was given Hesse and Camus to read in 10th grade, why not Isak?)had I not been attracted to this title in a dusty library. The work is about as anti-Hollywood as I could possibly imagine. Perhaps the answer is, she is not really a modernist but some sort of high baroque romanticist belonging more in the 19th century world of German prose; the "layering of stories" effect, especially in "Roads to Pisa", reads like she is channeling the world of Jan Potocki, enigmatic author of "The Saragossa Manuscript," who like Casanova moved in that incredible world of the international bohemian intellectual elite that Rexroth describes so well somewhere in one of his essays; that world of post-chaises and midnight rendezvous and military officers with seemingly endless resources of money, brains, education and cunning ... in fact "Saragossa" and Casanova's "Memoirs" were the books that came to my mind as I read her...reading this stuff is like eating a chocolate eclair with a brain more powerful than yours will ever be...why aren't there writers like this anymore? Was it all only a dream?

I thought this book was wonderful because I know all the places and some of the characters. My great-grandfather is even in it. Our house used to sit on the foundation of the church that it refers to, which is also where my grandparents met. So, this book held a lot of meaning for me!! I can't wait to read the sequel.

I enjoyed Turn Back Time very much because the characters just came to life for me. There was a mixture of sorrow, joy, and romance in it, but the best part was that it was a good, clean book with no four-letter words.

What great story telling. Couldn't put it down. The characters were so earthy. I passed this book around my family, who are from Kentucky, and everyone enjoyed it. Brings back so many memories. Great to the last page!

There are very few books that draw you right in from the first page but this book does. You love the family, the conflicts, the way it is solved and above all their love for God that shines through. Beware it is one of those books that will keep you up to the wee hours of the morning "just to find out what happens next"!

This is definitely one of those books that you don't lay down until you read the last word. It goes everywhere with you and your family wants you to hurry up and finish so they can have you back! It was a book that had me hooked from the beginning. It reminded me of the old mining stories my family use to reminisce about. The detailed info about the mining terminology was very interesting. Do you remember the Little House on the Prairie shows? It made me think of that time period. The characters in the book were so realistic and believable. When I read books like this with so much detail, they make me feel a part of the script. They also make me regret getting to the last page. This book was great and once I finished reading it, it was on my mind for days. It's nice to be able to find enjoyment and comfort in a book like this when you need an escape from the everyday happenings of the world. Grab this book and escape for a few hours! Very enjoyable, where's #2!?! Keep up the fantastic work Lisa and Dale! I love Dale's childrens books, they are great, too.