Thomas Books

I happened upon this book at my library and thought it would be a good read. I had never heard of the author so wasn't sure what I was in for--Once I finally picked it up and began reading I was hooked!! When I finally found time to start reading it,it came at a time in my life when I really needed to be inspired, to laugh and realize there are other women who totally understand me. The chapter that touched me most was about Vivian the 87 yr old lady--who welcomed the author into her life and became such an inspiration. This book inspired me in so many ways--It gave me hope, renewed my faith and I plan on buying extras and sharing them with others who I am sure could use something gleamed from this wonderful book

Trying to feel fulfilled with only 1 other person in your life? It doesn't work. Several friends add the spice to the spice cake, the toppings to the pizza dough, the rainbows to the landscape. Read this book about friendship and mutual support and then go out and build your friendships!

My best friend and I sat in my living room reading this book to each other. We only paused long enough to grab some brownies from the kitchen and snag a box of Kleenex before diving back into the wonderful world of the Georgia Girls. We agreed that we felt like we went on the retreat with those women. We laughed and cried....sometimes these emotions even overlapped! It was truly wonderful. I've read nearly all of Becky Freemans books and once again she has succeeded in making me feel special as a woman, not on my own merit; but by just knowing that we all depend on Gods grace anyway.

I'm a Becky Freeman fan and have read all of her books. While her humor always brings a refreshing "out-loud" laugh, she has the ability to bring the reader into "deeper waters." This book is definately not the "shallow-end" kind of swim. I made the mistake of reading from it while in the plane on a business trip. The flight attendant asked me if I was all right--at least he got me a kleenex. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys true-life stories about average women with an above-average inner strength. These gals may never make the front page of the news or be featured in the National Enquirer, but their stories are worth reading--ala "Chicken Soup" variety. Thanks for the refreshing swim, Becky, but next time, you need to put a "hanky warning" on the cover.

Real Magnolias was the most encouraging book I have read! It reminded me that I am not alone on this journey. There are friends around me who are going through the same situations and struggles in their lives. This book is about REAL women who share what makes them continue toward their walk with Christ. There is a lot to be said for women who enourage each other. Becky Freemen is a very unselfish writer who let these women tell their life story. Life stories that we all can relate too. Stories that are full of laughter, tears and hope for tomorrow.

Lewis Smedes has to be one of the leading authorities on the art of forgiveness. In this book he helps us understand just how much we are loved by God and no mater how much shame we bring on ourselves, God extends grace beyond comprehension. This book helped me get through a very difficult time in my life.....a time when it was difficult to forgive myself. A time when I felt full of shame and guilt. If you struggle with self-forgiveness, you need to read this book.

Quick delivery. Book in good condition

Smedes has done his best work in this brief, but effective work on the reality of shame and how shame can inhibit our ability to even function or have healthy relationships. It is very easy to identify with his descriptions of shame and how, from a Christian standpoint, to counteract this potent destroyer of a person being able to reach their full potential.

This is one of the most inteligent and insightful investigations into tthe nature of the human soul that I have ever read. Excellent read. I gauarantee you wil parallel your own life with Semedes' examinations.

Smedes' strength in this book is his balance between academic investigation into the causes of shame and nature of grace, and the pastoral, almost familial sensitivity with which he discusses it. Shame and depressing rob us of real life -- don't let them any more. If you are plagued with the sense that you are just not worth much in this world, let Lewis help you understand the gritty power of grace that God offers.

THE SIGN OF JONAS is the journal of the Trappist monk Thomas Merton from 1946 to 1952, covering his early years at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemane through his ordination and his first couple of years as a priest. It is, essentially, a sequel to his best-selling THE SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN. The latter book is a more traditional autobiography, spanning his early life, covering his conversion experience, and culminating in his decision to enter contemplative life. What's so fascinating about Merton is that he was such a manifestly *human* human being, in the sense of having all of our weaknesses of body and mind; he was, in short, not what you'd think of as very saintly. Nonetheless, he was able to transcend those very human qualities, empty himself, and fill himself with God--and write about it in such a beautiful way that he is able to inspire and to move others to want to emulate him.

The journal entries that comprise this book vary considerably in style, tone, and content, but there are basically two types: Many of the entries, especially in the first half of the book are narrative, for instance, describing Merton's consternation over what he sees as a conflict between his writing and his need to live the contemplative life. This sense of inner discord is exacerbated by, on the one hand, his fame resulting from the publication of SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN and his desire (perhaps temptation) for the more hermit-like life of the Carthusian. His superior in religious life, the abbot, essentially orders him to (1) write and (2) forget about the Carthusians, and he is obedient to his abbot as the expression of God's will. Merton's descriptions of his monastic surroundings are lyrical and painterly. The narrative entries are furthermore peppered with good humor, both droll ("There is certainly something very touching about lambs, until they find their way into holy pictures and become unpleasant" [p. 168]") and childlike (during one of the services, he is distracted by the hunting scene depicted on the shirt of one of the postulants: "What disturbs me especially is that one of the huntsmen, on a very fat horse, is riding directly through the middle of the pack of hounds, at right angles to the apparent direction of the chase. And I say to him, `Where do you think you're going?' when my mind ought to be on the psalms" [p. 208]).

The other major type of journal entry focuses on aspects of the spiritual life. These passages are beautiful, often abstruse, and occasionally exceedingly dense. They are suitable more for meditation than for simple reading pleasure. About halfway through the book, when Merton is ordained a priest, he becomes especially consumed by his new role and enraptured by the Mass. This in part reflects a pre-Vatican II understanding of the Mass that was more personal and less community-focused. For this reader, anyway, these passages are, though initially interesting, eventually a bit trying. Fortunately, Merton grows into his priesthood, and his writing reflects this, becoming less inward and self-absorbed. At the very end of the book, in the Epilogue called `Fire Watch," he is able to successfully join narrative and spiritual writing for a final meditation.

THE SIGN OF JONAS depicts Merton at a point in his life at which his ideas and thoughts are still maturing. It is, however that may be, a stunning piece of work. For my part, I found it more moving than SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN. In fact, I think it is one of the best pieces of 20th-century Catholic spiritual literature, a book that I found both edifying and a pleasure to read.

Sign of Jonas is a marvelous interweaving of three themes. Merton's love of nature is vividly described while he also relates his own spiritual growth as he moves through the years preceding and following becoming a priest. He tells of life at the monastery in a clear and,for the most part, affectionate way. The book moves smoothly from one of these arenas to another and back again. His explanations of his spiritual experiences are so very honest.It was my first Merton book and remains my favorite. When I finish the last page I turn to the first and start again. Reading and re-reading this book is like having a close friend.

For those who have come to know and enjoy Merton's writing, this collection of edited early journal entries provides a great deal of insight into the man and why he was able to remain so committed to Trappist life in his later times of trial. Much of the smugness of some parts of The Seven Storey Mountain are already gone, and we can see him maturing in his thought and his observations.

The epilogue, titled "Fire Watch," is worth the price of the book by itself. In addition, there is a pre-figuring of his famous experience at "Fourth and Walnut" in Louisville in his account of his first trip outside the monastery, approximately seven years after he entered. By following a typical journal format, one can follow the development of his thinking. (By contrast, a later similar book, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, is not necessarily arranged chronologically, which makes it more difficult for me to follow.)

Those who enjoy Merton will treasure this book.

What a wonderful way to start my new year with this book! A Benedictine Sister kindly gave me this book on my New Year's Eve retreat with them, after she learned that I love Merton's writings. How pure Merton's faith was, and how intensely absorbing his writing!

"All my desires draw me more and more in that direction. To be little, to be nothing, to rejoice in your imperfections, to be glad that you are not worthy of attention, that you are of no account in the universe. This is the only liberation. The only way to true solitude."

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is honestly in pursuit of the true faith.

Often referred to as "The Seven Storey Mountain: Part II", the "Sign of Jonas" is a nice collection of Merton's journal entries that chronicle his life after joining the Trappists.

"The Sign of Jonas" answers the simple question: "what happened after Seven Storey Mountain?" While some have been disappointed by the difference between his most famous autobiography and this collection of journal entries, I have to step forward and disagree.

I think this is a great book that speaks to the hearts of those who know what it is to struggle with your state in life, discerning your vocation and living the Gospel message to the best of your ability with all that it brings.

Give this book a try!

This is an excellent resource to teach children the true meaning of Thanksgiving and how much God loves each of his children and has a wonderful plan for all of them. I would definitely recommend this book!

We got this book when my son was 3 years old and he loved it. It tells the story in a way that brings glory to God in the midst of difficult circumstances. Highly recommend!

If you want your kids to really know the full story of the first Thanksgiving, then you cannot forego this book. Squanto is one of those stories that has not remained at the fore front of Thanksgiving tales. And, that fact is a crying shame. This story will not only speak facts, it will teach several moral lessons that the child in all of us needs to learn. It is a reminder of how we can be thankful no matter what life hands us in the way of trials. Read this book to your kids and inspire them to live their best lives!

This is an excellent book for teaching the history of Thanksgiving. The story is well told, and the writing is well crafted. The pictures are remarkable; you can spend a lot of time looking into the faces of the characters, which are rich with emotion and humanity and realism. This book is a great investment.

This was an incredibly beautiful rendering of Squanto's life. I highly recommend the book to all ages.

This review first appeared in the April 2002 issue of DR AHEAD, the newsletter of the Air Force Navigators Observers Assoication.

There is a saying, "Join the Navy and see the world. Join the Air Force and see Texas." In these two books Tom Alexander takes readers on a tour of Texas to visit 19 of the 65 Army Air Force bases which operated there during World War II.

Volume I covers the bases which were at Amarillo, Pyote, Pecos, Sweetwater, Greenville, Waco, Harlingen, and San Antonio (which alone of these still survives as an active facility). Volume II adds to the tour the bases at Pampa, Hondo, Del Rio, Midland, Marfa, El Paso, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Austin, Big Spring, and Houston. Alexander tells how and when each base came into existence, what missions were fulfilled, who some of the people associated with the base were, how the thousands of Air Force men and women, mostly from outside of Texas, interacted with the nearby community, and what became of the facility. In addition the author looks at the nearby Texas communities before and after the bases were established and the impact that the bases had on the state as a whoe.

Information about the bases is carefully researched and documented with endnotes. There are scores of histrical and contemporary photographs. The books are rich with ancedotal material. Alexander writes with skill

The heart of these books is Alexander's powerful descriptions of the opening, operation, and disposition of the bases and the resulting impacts on Texas. Those who spent Air Force time in Texas will enjoy these books. Libraries in communities which have or had a military base nearby should acquire them. This goes for communities across the country, not just in Texas, because the lessons they teach are about how war and peach change America.

I really enjoyed reading "The Stars Were Big and Bright." There was so much informative and humorous information in a well written format. It was very interesting learning about the diversity in the locations of the air bases and I loved the old pictures. It was a book I didn't want to put down.

I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of the life and times of Sweetwater as well as what it was like to be a WASP in a small Texas town!

This book provides a worthwhile survey of the role of military aviation...anecdotal details keep the text lively...vintage and contemporary photographs make the book valuable for anyone interested in the military buildup that affected Texas communities...

I am a native Texan and history buff, but I was never aware of the important role many small Texas towns played in the aerial war efforts of the United States. What a revelation this book provided.

Very well written, interesting, informative, humorous and sometimes tragic, The Stars Were Big and Bright is one book that will remain in my personal library for years to come. It is sure to be reread whenever the urge to revisit the history of Texas' contribution to the U.S. Army Air Force's efforts during WWI and WWII.

I was impressed also with the numerous vintage photograps, maps, descriptions of the relevant airfields, aircraft photos and specifications, as well as the high level of documentation from primary source documents.

This book absolutely has to be the best book on this topic yet written. Perhaps the author, Thomas E. Alexander, will treat us to another great book in the future.

For anyone interested in the Civil War I highly reccomend this book. There are literally thousands of books on the Civil War but most of them focus on the political or military side. This book focuses on the aftermath of the battle, something that is overlooked by many historians. The reader will get a whole new perspective on the impact the War had on areas where armies clashed. Anyone even remotely interested in the Civil War should pick this book up. For those of you who have weak stomachs, do not read the book after a meal.

This book isn't about the battle of Gettysburg. It's about the price that was paid for that battle by the men who fought it and the citizens of the town. The aftermath of Gettysburg was a nightmare beyond imagination.

After the guns fell silent Coco shows us that there was much to do. Thousands of dead soldiers needed to be buried and tens of thousands of wounded to be treated. How do you do all that? The truth is you can't, at least not very well. In the end many bodies were buried in shallow graves that didn't take long to get uncovered by the elements. Some bodies were simply dumped into the crevasses in Devil's Den. The wounded in many cases were left outside for no other reason than you had over ten times as many wounded as you had population in Gettysburg and there simply wasn't enough room indoors for all the wounded men. Toss in countless horses whose corpses needed to be gathered up and burned and you begin to get the picture. The aftermath of Gettysburg was a gruesome horror story.

This book is not for the casual or beginning Civil War reader. There's nothing about infantry charges and military tactics here. Coco doesn't hold back and to be honest the book is rather disturbing. However it tells the story that I don't think any other book does and that's the frank truth about the aftermath of Gettysburg.

Greg Coco's "A Strange and Blighted Land" is, as far as I know, a uniquely intimate and yet comprehensive look at the aftermath of Civil War combat. The Battle of Gettysburg left 6000 soldiers dead on the ground (with thousands more to later die of their wounds) and 20,000 seriously wounded. When the two great armies that had fought there marched away, the dead and the wounded remained in and around Gettysburg, creating a horror worthy of an inner circle of Dante's Hell. This is an unflinching look at the days, weeks, and months that followed. I see that a previous, anonymous reviewer at this site complained about the "author's incesant anti-war sermonizing." To the contrary, I consider that Coco did little "sermonizing". Rather, he lets the eyewitnesses speak for themselves, quoting liberally from a vast array of primary sources. The result is a powerful, fact-packed book that is certainly grim, even gruesome, and far removed from the conventional romanticing and glamourization of the very deadly consequences of genuine 19th century warfare. I think that anyone who finds him- or herself thinking back to the supposed glory of Civil War battle where everyone dies heroically and cleanly should read Coco's book as a strong antidote against such a false picture.

After the shooting stopped at Gettysburg, within a very short time the whole landscape had turned black from the flies spawned in the bodies of the fallen. The earth was soiled and black with grease and filth and the very air was heavy with foulness.

This is not a book for the faint-hearted, but it is a superbly well-researched account, drawn from eyewiteness statements and official documents of what happened when nearly 10 000 dead and two or three times that many wounded were left in a quiet farming community by armies that had gone elsewhere.

This is essential reading for anybody wishing to know the whole story of Gettysburg. It has many maps and illustrations and photographs not seen elsewhere, and a comprehensive set of notes.

The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) was the largest ever fought on the American continent and the pivotal battle of our Civil War. Following the battle, with the retreat of Lee's Army and the pursuit by Meade's, there was a pressing need to take care of the dead, wounded, and destroyed that the armies left in their wake. There also was, and remains, a need to reflect upon the significance of the Battle and the lessons to be learned from it.

Gregory Coco's book, "A Strange and Blighted Land" (1995) gives a comprehensive account of the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Coco is a Park Ranger at Gettysburg, and he hasa written extensively and well about the battle. He is also a Vietnam veteran. His history in this book stresses eloquently, the carnage of war, its terrors and pain, and its irreplaceable cost in human life and treasure.

The book is arranged in five rather lengthy chapters. In the first chapter, Mr. Coco offers his readers a tour of the Battlefield in which he presents eyewitness accounts of the death and destruction evident over the 25 mile square Battlefield. The second chapter discusses the dead of Gettysburg and their burials. There is excellent historical material here about the establishment of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. In his next chapter, Mr. Coco discusses the Gettysburg wounded, both North and South, the medical and surgical practices of the day, and the camps set up in haste to care for the masses of grievously wounded soldiers. In his fourth chapter, Mr. Coco discusses the treatment of prisoners of war, and the fate of the many stragglers and deserters which followed in the wake of the battle. In his final chapter, Mr. Coco discusses preservation efforts for the Battlefield, culminating in the establishment of the Gettysburg National Military Park in 1895.

I have read several other accounts of the aftermath of Gettysburg. Mr. Coco's book is by far the most thorough. He has the factual details at his command and presents them in a convincing manner. He shows great familiarity with the Battle itself, and discusses well the controversies and issues in determining the numbers of the killed, wounded, and missing.

But there is much more to this book than a factual recounting of the aftermath of a battle. The book is written in an appealing, personal, sometimes buttonholing style in which Mr. Coco seems to be at the readers side offering observations and commentary on the significance of the events set forth in his story. He offers opinions on a variety of topics emanating from his reflections on Gettysburg and on war. (Specifically, Mr. Coco shows a healthy skepticism in matters of religion.) Mr. Coco focuses on the meaning to be drawn from Gettysburg and from our Civil War. His own perspective is clear. Mr. Coco is opposed to efforts to glorify or romanticize war. Again and again, he stresses the horrors of war and tries to impress upon his readers that the greatest lesson to be learned from Gettysburg is -- to try to prevent such things from happening. Thus his book concludes (p.373)

"Let us now leave behind the aftermath story with this hope: that for each and every attempt to parade the 'pomp and circumstance' of war, we give equal time to the corrupt and merciless monster shielded smugly within, because, 'if the bugler starts to play, we too must dance.'"

This book is both an excellent history and a deeply-felt attempt to think about the meaning of Gettysburg.

After reading this you'll never find me wandering around the woods alone. Especially if I hear a dog in the woods! This book is so gross and disgusting but at the same time funny and the characters are great. I read this nonstop.

The plot is old but it works because Thomas writes good dialogue and characters. The story is about two kids, two best friends, who get captured by an insane serial killer and get locked in his basement. He tortures them in ways I can't even describe. But the first half of the book is spent letting you know the two friends in their hometown so that you actually care about them when the carnage begins. Trust me, you really will route for them, not like in those lame horror films when you just want the screaming teenagers to die. The book definitely pushes the limits of gross horror but it works. Reading this I can't help but think the author may be a bit disturbed but I'm gonna read more by Ryan C. Thomas.

I really enjoyed this book. Reading some reviews I was expecting a pure gore fest, but what I found was a story that was a page-turning suspense thriller that I just couldn't put down. I don't think I took more than 3 breaths while reading the last 50 pages. Disturbing? Yes. Horrifying? Yes. Entertaining? Absolutely yes.

but I could'nt stop! This is the most horrifying, sickening book I have ever read (and I love Laymon) yet it is also one of the hardest to put down! I read mostly in one sitting and called my reading buddy right after to warn her about what I was going to pass on to her next!
This is a visceral, pull no punches, why I am reading this and worse yet, why can't I stop horror story! It left me reeling, feeling a little sick, used up and spit out and I highly recommend it!
Happy Reading!

This book scared the heck out of me. Very gory!! Wanted to bury this book in my backyard before I even finished reading it but you can't. The plot really grabs and keeps you turning the pages. Looking forward to the next book by Thomas.

I read violent books(Richard Laymon,Jack Ketchum,& Brian Smith are my some of my favs). So Im no stranger to gore and blood. This book is probably THE most violent book I have ever read. But it is also one of the best books I have read in such a long time. I havent cared for the characters of a book, like I did here, in such a long time. At times my heart was beating because I was so nervous, other times I was almost moved to tears becuase you actually felt like you were chained in that basement with them. I was rooting for Roger and Tooth to make it through the unglodly tortures that they endured the whole time. Skinny Man is one really evil dude.

I would watch out for other Ryan C. Thomas novels in the future because he has a knack for fantastic story telling. I really would like to see this book get picked up by a major publisher because this book needs to be recognized for what it is, brilliant!

Dr. Phelan has done a wonderful job at describing the right and wrong ways of approaching teenagers. I have recommended this book to my parents for many years. Too many times parents choose to discuss something on the spur of the moment, leading to blow ups and frustration on both parts. Dr. Phelan's recommendation to schedule a time and then also start with what is good, responsible, or mature with the teen before diving into the problem are on the money. This is exactly how they are trying to train business managers to work with their employees (although not all of them follow the advice). A collaboration to aid in the growth of the teen into a mature, responsible, relatively happy adult is needed. This book brings ideas and strategies to the reader to help reach that goal.

Surviving Your Adolescents: How to Manage and Let Go of your 13 - 18 Year Olds by Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D, 2nd edition is a book I highly recommend for parents of any teenagers. Dr. Phelan is a registered Clinical Psychologist who has worked with children and families for over twenty-five years and he knows what works to help families run smoothly, even in the roughest of times. In the book he tells what is normal adolescent behavior, and risk-taking is normal! He gives terrific ways to keep good communication channels open with your teenager while still teaching and modeling the behavior you hope for yet understanding and discussing in ways that are not a big turn-off, the behaviors the teen exhibits in natural rebellion to rules. These are the years when peers are more important than parents, experimentation is normal in the quest for becoming one's own person, but the pitfalls are many, and the book recommends excellent ways of avoiding these or working through them and still keeping a good relationship. He discusses what is abnormal and needs professional help also. The book is easy to read with excellent, practical suggestions of ways that work. By all means ORDER THIS BOOK NOW!!

I wish I could have this book long time ago. If I had it, it would help me alot in understanding my daughter and I would avoid many mistakes. This book just opens your eyes and gives you the real picture of what is going on with your kid at the time of adolescent. I would say all parents need to read if before their kids become teenagers and be prepared for all changes and behaviour extreems.

If possible, this book is even more useful than "1, 2, 3 Magic", simply because adolescents are more trying to a parent than a toddler, if that can be imagined! I suggest giving this book to every parent on their child's 12th birthday. I have eight children and wish I'd read this book first.

"Surviving Your Adolescents--How to Manage and Let Go Of Your 13-18 Year Olds" is brilliant and simple. I whole-heartedly recommend it for any and every parent of teens. Dr. Phelan's advice is perfectly reasonable. There is a section called "Managing Testing and Manipulation" and great coaching on both understanding different perspectives and choosing what kind of role to take in various situations.

But parents beware, parenting teens will require you to grow and change! Dr. Phelan gives control back to parents all right, but it requires us parents controlling ourselves--old habits, maybe learned from our parents or born out of frustration. We are given a dose of reality about measuring what is really important (recognizing what is "minor but aggravating" and when outside intervention is necessary). In this book you will learn which very common behaviors we parents fall into that contribute to discord.

It's always good to know that you're not the only one going through the challenges of parenting teens and Dr. Phelan gives over his wisdom, advice, and experiences in a direct way with humor and compassion. If you are in need of some guidance in parenting your teens, get this book, read it (and don't forget to take some time to enjoy your teens).

Laya Saul, author of the best loved book for teens, "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way--What I Wish Someone Had Told Me"

Annual he pours his work into a new Trends Report and annually I think it'll be a repeat, but no! Stefan's writings are always fresh, on tempo, and FULL of useable information.

Stefan is totally on top of the real estate industry, its actions, reactions, fads, trends, and new views. His insight and more over his foresight make reading him a necessity if you own real estate, lease real estate, sell real estate, or manage those who do.

Everybody with Any exposure to the real estate market should read this report. GREAT BOOK ! I recommend it !

Extremely insightful and well thought through based on extensive research and knowledge of the industry and whole environment of the real estate arena and surrounding services. Mutliple power forces at play in the ever changing and evolving industry. Changing dynamic lead by technology and benefits to consumers as influenced by emerging companies seeking to compete.

Mr. Swanepoel has done it again, providing cutting edge information about the real estate industry. This report is packed with information progessive agents and brokers can't be with out. I'm recommending that all of my students immidiately obtain their own personal copy. - Jim Remley, author of Make Millions Selling Real Estate & Real Estate Presentations that Make Millions.

This book is more amazing each year. Stefan has a handle on the trends impacting residential real estate that are a must read if you are in the business as an owner, executive, real estatte agent or service provider.

I have this report as a standing order each year and have had Stefan present a synopsis of his report to influential Realtors(R)who met his content and views with tremendous enthusiasm.

The real estate industry is going through changes at a never before imagined rate and the only way to stay on top of trends that will impact your business is to take full advantage of tools such as this. They come along rarely but when they do you had better obtain, absorb and utilize the valuable information.

Over 50 years ago I read these books in Swedish (original language)and now I read them in English. I just love them, to me they are the best fairy tales ever written for children and for adults. Jan

Tove Jansson's tales from the Moominvalley are fascinating reading for adults and children alike. Although I read my first copy in Finnish, the English translation is equally enjoyable. I am surprised that Disney has not yet bought rights to the series that would make wonderful animated movies.

This is not exacly a book for kids and much as I liked some of the other Moomin books, I used to hate this one. Only after my visit to Finland this year and seeing the museum of Moomins did I re-read all the books.

I fell in love with them. Totally and permanently.

If not for anything else, get this book for the story of the Hemulen who loved silence. I actually had tears in my eyes when reading it.

Beautiful, warm, mature and full of hope, like all the other Moomin books.

I picked up this book because I thought I hadn't read it before, wanting to see the Moominvalley books through adult eyes - not to have my childhood memories of favourite books tarnished. As it turns out, I had read "Tales from Moominvalley" before (the fungus-covered granny was the trigger for my recollection), but I was really relieved to find that Tove Jansson's books are just as good as I remember - and there is, I think, even more for the adult to appreciate and enjoy than there is for the child.
I generally dislike the short story genre, but not when it's done like this. Every short story is simply that, a short story; not a contrived literary exercise with the obligatory "twist in the tail". Jansson's stories are charming little gems, full of wonderful moments and images, thought-provoking and touching. Her characters are often the lonely, the lost, and the troubled, and she makes you feel for them and understand them, without ever becoming ridiculous or sentimental. The tales about Snufkin and his tune and the Fillyjonk who believed in disasters are shining examples of this. But Jansson can write humour and happiness just as well, as the tales of the invisible child and the fir tree show.
I really can't speak highly enough of this book. Jansson's wonderful insight into people, her spare, deft prose, and her brilliant imagination make a great combination. Buy it for your children or for yourself.

As many readers have noted, Tove Jansson's Moomin books may be appreciated by adults as well as children (particularly children who are of a quirky, thoughtful bent, in grades 4 and up.) The "Tales" is a late collection of short stories and not a complete novel like most of the other ones (beginners should start with "Comet in Moominland" instead), but it contains all the characters we know and love from the series. As usual, Jansson deftly captures the exact mood of the time of year portrayed in each tale, as well as the complicated inner workings of the misfit characters, with a few deft words. Two of these stories are absolute masterpieces. The first is "A Spring Tune," in which the fiercely independent Snufkin is prevented from writing a melody by a lonely, talkative squirrel. The other is "The Fir Tree," which comes at the end of the book and is perhaps the finest Christmas short story I have ever read, which is praise indeed. (Were ever layers of irony so superb? All writers take note of this one.) In between we get an offbeat collection of curious tales, not as memorable perhaps as the novels but jolly good fun, and emotionally pure like all of Jansson's amazing body of work. How else to describe it? Read for yourself.