V Books

Secret pouches, treasure gems, letters, pirate flags...lots of fun!

We bought this for our young children (5-year old and 4-year old) as they were excited by the Pirates of the Caribbean movie trilogy.

We bought this book along with "Pirates" by John Matthews last year. We take the books off the shelf every couple months and read through them for bedtime. The books will stay in our collection for years to come.

This book helps introduce a large amount of new vocabulary but, more importantly, covers so much ground that it acts as a fantastic springboard to further study history or science.

Avast thar ye bilge rat, I thumbed through this yar book at thee "Pirates of the Caribbean" shop in Disneyworld and me thinks, "I gots to get me one of these treasures". Knowings thats Amazon can beat prices like a full broadside I waited and ordered online once I got home, saving about ten dollars. This book is amazing with all kinds of stories, pictures, and facts. Aye, Ye kids may be setting up a pirate camp once they reads it. This will entertain ye kids five to one hundred and five. If you or anyone you know thinks pirates are interesting, cool, or scalliwags of the Earth, be sure to get them this here book matey. I highly recommend this yar book for ye piratical family types especially.

it's a great book, filled with all kinds of pirate facts, legends, stories, and "artifacts" . My godson got a real kick out of it. He loves pirates and the book is written as if first-hand by a privateer (a pirate commissioned by the government to hunt down enemy state vessels, and rogue pirate ships).

This book will definitely be one he enjoys for many years. Some of the subject matter is just within his attention level and understanding, but the more intricate details and artifacts will prove fun discoveries as he gets older and has the patience to read over each part carefully. i'm a big fan of the whole series.

This book was received timely, and my son loves it! All the books in this series are great!

My 7-year-old son could not wait to sit down and start looking through this. The day it arrived we had some younger children visiting, and he "wowed" them all by showing them different parts of the book. He is very excited about it, and I am a happy mother for finding another great book for a young reader.

Not too vague and strangely accurate. Always good to putt out at a dinner party.

The Secret Language of Birthdays has been so helpful. A friend of mine was the first person to mention the book to me. I picked it up to better undertand my very active and stubborn toddler son (17months). I have used a different approach that didnt seem too harsh for his age as far as discipline was concerned and now we are in perfect harmony. It has also helped me understand other members of my family in which I was having a difficult time understanding. I would recommend this book to everyone because it was and continues to be helpful.

This book was pretty good in explaining the different "pieces" that make up the science of astrology. The accuracy of each day was also about 75% correct, for the most part. It's not as vague as some astrology books, that's for sure. Not a bad book for the money.

On page 352 and 353... born August 4. Interesting.......

Anyway, this is now my reference for anything I want to know about a person. The Secret Language Of Relationships is just as good. Definitely get it if you don't own either already!

This book is great, i bought it for my sister, as i already have one of my own, and considering it had to travel from america, it got here very fast!

I've read AND own all the Warriors books that are currently published. I am waiting for Book Four of the Power of Three series. I recently read all the manga books, the original series, The New Propphecy,the Feild Guide, and Cats of the Cans. I also read the three Power of Three books that are sold now.
I recommend these books to everyone. Little kids will enjoy the adventure, but there is buits of romance, sadness, horror, and funniness in these books. They are great for all ages, but the older you are the more you understand. I recomennd reading them slowly, they pass by too quickly. I've read... hmm... 19 books- no, 23- in probably 2 months. And thats just this series. I've read plenty more. so please, please but the first book of the series. If you want to buy this one and you read the ones before, please do because all of them are very good books. I'm only 11, but I think these books are great! firestar, Brambleclaw, Jaypaw, and Graystripe are the different ain characters of each series. But the series are connected. for example, Firestar is eventually leader in Warriors, and is also leader in all the other Warriors series. PLEASE BUY THIS BOOK!!

All of the Erin Hunter books are great! I just love them and have read them many times over. I am not a reader, I hate to read!!! But give me a Warrior series book and leave me alone for a few days. They are the best. Thanks Erin for opening up a new world for me.

This book to me was very, very exciting. The main character, Fireheart has just become a true warrior of the Thunderclan, along with his best freind Graystripe. Together they faced many things but when Graystripe meets a she- cat from an enemy clan they're freindship starts to fall apart. Another problem in this book is Tigerclaw, the deputy of the Thunderclan. Every cat in the Thunderclan looks up to Tigerclaw, except Fireheart, who besides Graystipe and a fromer cat from thunderclan, named Ravenpaw, know a very cold- blooded thing that this deputy has done.When no one believes the story that Fireheart has to tell about Tigerclaw strnage tings start to happen in the Forest.

Pre-teen and early teen girls love the series. It has my 10 year olds attention. She is reading like never before.

this book is very good. I like all of the characters(except Tigerclaw!), and I like how Bluestar asks Fireheart and Graystripe to find WindClan. The events are very exiting, but I don't get why it's called Fire and Ice. It has nothing to do with the book. This book will have you wanting to read every second of the day!

Normally I don't post reviews for books, but I wanted to for this one. I found myself with tears rolling down my face in several parts of this book. I have read the Redemption Series and all the previous books in the Firstborn Series but this is definitely my favorite so far. I always keep these books coming and reserve the next 1 or 2 from the library as I'm reading each book, so I don't have to go too long between them. I, too, think this series would make a great movie, and often find myself thinking of actors/actresses to play each part.

I've read several of Karen's other books and I don't plan to stop until I've read them all.

I own the series and love them vey much this is a set of books you don't part with!!!!
Evelyn

Anyone who has ever read any of Karens books knows that there is no other writer in this day and age that hits every emotion that we all go through in this life, in our own search for why we are here, who we are, and the battles that can and do happen in this life.

The number one moral is that Gods Love and our love for others is the strength to keep us all carrying on in this journey in life. There is hope in all of her books.

It is such a "blessing" to read a book, that everyone whether a believer or not in God who touches our lives in everyday situations with family and friends. There is not one of her books that I have ever been disappointed in. Once you read one of her books you will be "hooked" and can't wait to read the next one.

Seagull
<><
Las Vegas, NV

A friend got me started on Karen's books. Now I have read almost all of her books. When I start one, I find it very hard to put it down - I just want to keep reading to the end. All the books in this series and her other series' are great. I can't wait to find out what will happen to the Baxter family next.

The book is a wonderful nonfiction that displays God's awesome faithfulness and presence through the continued story of The Baxter Family. I was so taken that I could hardly put the book down and I'm eager to begin the Sunrise Series. These books are encouraging in my life as well, reminding me of God's promises and truths in my own life. Thank you for encouraging me in my walk with Christ!

This book will open your eyes and change your life. Dan Eldon is my hero, he walked his own path and fell doing what he loved.

This book is absolutely amazing. My mother got this book for me when I was about 17 and just really starting to bud out and become an artist. Dan's work was absolutely mesmerizing and inspiring. His colorful life and tragic death spark something in you to go out and change the world.

This is a dense, rich book of images and words left by Dan Eldon, one of those brilliant, outsized people who burn through life like a flare and are gone. He surrounded himself with beauty and horror and tried to both record and to make some sense of his experiences and the constant, jarring disparity between the extremes of life.
If you love photography and art or are just drawn to precocious brilliance and the intense energy of people who are present in every moment of their lives, you should own this book.

Eldon's story of the war-torn Somolia is as much an artwork as it is an engaging story. This "book" is a reproduction of photojournalist Dan Eldon's journal from his travels in the most impoverished regions of Africa. Part insightful reading, part artistic work, this book should be on anyone's reading list who wants to know more about the world we don't see everyday, and it truly makes one think about all we have, and all Eldon lost...5 out of 5 starts easily!

I bought this book upon it's release in 1997. I can remember allowing the contents of this memoir to captivate me for hours on end. I lent my copy to a friend shortly thereafter and subsequently forgot about it. I recently ordered a replacement and I must say, this book is even more compelling than I ever remembered. Dan Eldon was a profound visionary, an articulate statesman and a devoted caretaker. As a Reuters photo-journalist, he traveled the world and served as a dipomatic embassador to many, yet his life was taken prematurely in a stoning riot in Somalia. He experienced more in his brief 21 years than most of us will over an entire lifetime. A MUST HAVE.

This is one of the best manga's I've ever read. It's not the typical shojo and thats what makes it so unique and amazing. The character's are so complex and through each volume you get to know more and more about Rei and Kira. It's story line is the best I've read so far and I think that if it was just a book it would still be just as amazing.
So long story short: If your looking for a manga that will keep you guessing and has gorgeous artwork then read this!

This manga is full of shoujo manga cliches. The main character is a shy, timid girl. Somehow, she ends up in a relationship with the school playboy. Despite his irresponsible behavior with girls in the past, maybe he has a heart of gold?

He also has a tragic past, which goes without saying. This manga really has it all - evil twins, dark pasts, rivals for affection, love triangles, and so on.

However, this manga is totally addicting and highly readable. You will want to get the new volume as soon as possible just to find out what happens! It's one of the best "teen romance" manga I've ever read. When you start this, make sure you have access to the later volumes, because you will probably want to read through them all as soon as possible!

One more thing - be warned, despite the cliche fluffy start, this manga also touches on surprisingly dark themes.

If you like other teen romance manga series, this one is a must read.

I am an avid manga collector and had been wanting to check out Mars for a long time since I saw a write up on it in Newtype magazine. It did not disappoint. The artwork is lovely and the storyline isn't skimpy or cheesy, it is a manga with substance and relatable charaters, I am 20 and love this manga. I currently own volumes 1-6 and am looking forward to number 7! :)

I thought this is a great romantic seires. Kira and Rei a weird couple yes. Shy and sweet quiet artist girl to Dangerous bad boy that does what he wants. But I loved how the started the first volume. It already showed so things that will come ahead to this couple. Some people look for the art in manga but it wasn't like that for me. I liked the art and this a old manga but has been proveing to this girl that many has loved this series for the beauty of it's story and art. For romance I recommend this book. They already get this couple in some very sweet moments :). I get lost in this series every time I read it. To know more about the series I so recommend buying the fullength series which is 15 books. I love reading them over and over. I hope you find yourself swept away as I was when I read the first book then I couldn't stop reading after that I had to the next one then the next one. You get so later yo.

GREAT MANGA!!!!
I'm in my twenties and this is one of the best mangas

Prior to September 11, 2001, the burning of the General Slocum was New York City's worst disaster in terms of casualty rate. An estimated 1300 Lower East Side residents, most of them members of St. Mark's Lutheran parish, boarded the steamer on the morning of June 15, 1904 for the annual church picnic at Eatons Neck, Long Island. Barely two hours later, a blaze broke out in a storage compartment, possibly ignited by a carelessly thrown match or cigarette. The steamboat immediately became a floating death trap: although the Slocum had passed a recent safety inspection, the life preservers were rotted, the fire hoses were damaged, and wires immobilized the lifeboats. The captain, William Van Schaick, had also never put the crew through a fire drill. By the time the ship was beached on North Brother Island, over a thousand passengers had been burned to death or drowned. The public and the 321 survivors demanded justice, but never got it. The inspector who certified the Slocum as safe and the ship's owners, who had shied from the expense of maintaining the safety equipment, were not punished for their negligence. Only Captain Van Schaick received a prison term of ten years, but the federal parole board released him after three.

Edward T. O'Donnell has done a first-rate job in his coverage of this forgotten calamity. In addition to recounting the final moments of the doomed ship and its passengers, he explores the corruption of government officials, the callous arrogance of Gilded Age big business, and other factors that contributed to the tragedy and its aftermath. He also helps the reader understand why, considering the high death toll, the General Slocum disaster was forgotten so quickly. His research sources are impeccable: he interviewed elderly survivor Adella Wotherspoon and obtained access to a detailed scrapbook that her family maintained for years. In my opinion, O'Donnell's fast-paced writing style and attention to detail has rescued this story of devastating loss, incomparable heroism, and appalling institutional arrogance from its undeserved obscurity.

"Ship Ablaze" helps fill in gaps of history that for one reason or other our parents, grand-parents, uncles and aunts. I grew up in that neighborhood and attended the LCMS (Trinity) Lutheran Church on 9th St. and Ave. B., yet I had to wait until late in life to learn of this disaster and the long term impact it had on the area. While the congregation I belonged to was not in worship fellowship with St. Mark's, I am certain that one would find a history of humanitarian fellowship at the time. But, these would be in the old records of that congregation written in German script. We need not only researchers, but multilingual researchers, in this incident as although there were those born in America, they lived a German life. My generation was the first not to speak German from birth. When I went to Germany to live for a while, I find myself very much at home despite the fact that this was post WWII Germany. If there are researchers interested out there who are fluent in German, a place they might want to look at is the resources of the NY Public Library and Concordia Historical Institute, St. Louis (records of the original Trinity on microfilm).

An excellent book about the General Slocum disaster, a 1904 steamboat fire that killed more than 1,000 people, mostly women and children on a church outing. Absolutely mesmerizing from start to finish.

I think this is the year as a reader, as a watcher of television and news, that I've finally reached my endpoint as concerns human disasters. I've always been interested to an extent of this type of story...if we weren't newspapers would not fare well. But I started picking up more of these books after the making of the movie, Titanic, and it's about 7 years later, and I am pretty sure I've had it. Nothing about the writer's abilities, just between the constant onslaught of real life disasters with the hurricane season now ending, the tsunami of last year, constant reportage on this ridiculous war in Iraq, and normal everyday life, I cannot take on any more sorrow and of course, the stupidity and greed that goes with these stories. I didn't even finish this one. If you like this genre, and this type of reading doesn't depress you deeply, as it did me, then this book is for you.

This is not the 'ostrich' burying it's head. It's rather I decided to stop rubbernecking in this manner. I don't do it when there are fires or car accidents, so I don't know why this should be anything different. If I am interested in it from an engineering or scientific view of things, as occurred with the 1927 dynamiting of the New Orleans levees, then I'll go for the history. I know this stuff happened, and where it is absolutely necessary to know more for family research or whatever, fine, I can look it up online. This is not the type of reading that I consider as being of benefit for me, nor is it entertaining to read about the needless deaths of so many. There are other things I'd rather do and read than books of this genre, though it is obvious that as with true crime, this is a popular genre which will not be going away soon.

Karen Sadler

This disaster has been hidden from historical references better than anything I've ever come across. Over 1,000 people die horribly, mostly women and children, and the following has occurred:

The 2004 Microsoft Encarta DVD Encyclopedia makes absolutely no reference to this event.

The book "New York Times Page One" does not show this as one of it's important front page dates.

The book "Chronicles of the 20th Century" (1300+ pages) only makes mention of the ship's owners being found negligent, not the event itself.

The largest loss of life from a single disaster from 1904 until 2001 and they can't mention it! Thankfully, this book does it justice and brings the hidden truth to light.

Slave is an alarmingly true story about the modern day slave trade. I could not put this book down. My heart was pounding towards the end as Mende was attempting to escape. I recommend this book to anyone who is willing to have thier eyes opened to the very disturbing fact the there are people profiting from throwing children into a lifetime of Slavery and even more disturbing is the fact that there are families that will buy and "own" slaves.

The content of the book is a deeply moving story of a taugh girl who didn't lose her hope to be a free person. The most of the people in our world are not aware of a crude fact that slavery exists in 21 century. The highest toll pay children and women.

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I would recommend it to anyone who likes to ready true stories from someone's life.

I am was in shock throughout this entire book. I could not believe that this actually happen in the 21st century. Mende told her story so descriptively. I could not stop reading it. Excellent memoir.

Parts of this book were too graphic for me. I can't believe what women in some parts of the world have to endure. I couldn't finish it.

A very colorful look at Mt. Everest from the Imax Everest expedition. Much better than the Imax movie itself, compelling images interspersed with informative commentary and history from a number of writers.

Compared to Everest: Summit of Achievement this is a lightweight introduction. Yes, you will want to own this and read it more than once. Yes, it's better than the Imax Everest movie (not saying much). Unfortunately this book shares some of the superficial qualities the Imax movie had. The editors would have done well to drive their razor-sharp crampons a bit more forcefully into their subject matter, if you catch my drift...

This is another awesome book to show Mount Everest. If you like nice pictures of mountains(especially Mount Everest), this is the best.

As a former climber, I've always been fascinated by Everest. This is a wonderfully written and beautifully photographed account of the ill-fated assault on Everest that took a number of lives.
Especially sad, since as I was reading it yesterday, we got word of the death of Sir Edmund Hillary.

A stunning photo-journal of Everest, focusing on the tragic/heroic month of May 1996. Excellent narrative accompanied by fantastic photographs.

I bought this book for the photography alone: this is as close as I am ever likely to get to the Himalayas.

The photographs are spectacular, and I can see why so many people are challenged to want to make the journey to Base Camp if not further. Appearances can be deceptive: beautiful colour photographs portray a seemingly benevolent picture of Everest which is quite at odds with reality.

Recommended for those with an interest in the Himalayas as well as to those who admire beautiful photography.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

If you've read the Mitford Series, you will want this book. Even if you don't try any of the recipes, it's a fun book to read.

Absolutely beautiful cookbook - it appears brand new. I very much enjoyed the 9 of the Mitford Series novels, and didn't know if I would like the cookbook. But, I love it. It is filled with excerpts from the Mitford Series along with the many recipes that were so enticing as I read all the novels!! Very impressed with the condition of the book and the speed of the delivery. Thank you.

If you are a Father Tim, Cynthia, Puny or Esther Bolick fan, this book is a must. Not only will you be able to create the yummy foods found in the Mitford series, but passages from the book highlight the significance of many of the recipes.

If you have read the Mitford series, you will not want to miss this cookbook. The recipes are fantastic and the stories and characters that go along with them make you feel that you are right there in Mitford in someone's kitchen. This is definately a MUST for Southern cooks (and consumers).

This was a very unique cookbook. I recommend it to anyone who needs a little story to go with their newly created dish. I truly enjoyed reading this book.