Williams Books

The best book in this area. It has everything you need to know in respiratory physiology and some basic principles are also useful in cardiovascular physiology. The organization is perfect, the thought questions and the questions at the end of each chapter are very well elaborated, you need to think to answer them and apply what you have read, not just memorization. The writing style is also very good, conversational. And I don't have words to describe the CD, is also perfect, the animations are extremely helpfull. If all medical books were organized like this book, no one would need to go to medschool.


ATTENTION! The CD does not work on Windows Vista.

This book was a pleasure to read and very good at walking a beginner through the concepts of respiratory physiology. Everything is presented in a logical way and it's surprising how much you can learn from this little book.

I am a pulmonary fellow who needed some review on respiratory physiology. i read the book cover to cover and found it an excellent resource to understand and correct my previous misunderstandings. the illustration in the CD were great and i recommend it to all fellows.

ghazwan acash

I ended up looking at a bunch of my friends' books, including West, before picking out this one to help me with the resp portion of my pathophys course. I loved this one. It was so easy to read - you know, it felt like someone was talking to me and just explaining things in a really plain, easy to understand way.

S&P is a lot more than just a book. I bought it because it was a recommended text for our class, but I had no idea I would be getting a whole web site that goes with the book. For most of the books I buy, the CD is pretty worthless with some junk pictures, but this book has a web site with diagrams where you can do things like adjusting O2 and CO2 levels or shunting percentage and see what happens. The picture actually changes right there in front of you! It's like having a little lab to illustrate the book topics, and the book even tells you how to use the diagrams and what cases to try. I'm a visual learner so this is where it's at for me. I wish they had the same thing for renal physiology.

After half a dozen years as a Mac traitor who got dragged kicking and screaming into the Windows-only world at work, I'm retiring from the work world and switching back to Mac-only at home. I waited for about six months for Robin's update for Leopard to be published and it was well worth the wait. While I'm just getting into the book, I can already see that it's going to be a member of my on-desk library of essential Mac reference books. Way to go Robin and John!

I switched to MAC about one month ago, bought the book the next day and found it very helpful. I went through it page by page and it was easy to read and understand and it was more than helpful. I recommend it highly for the first time MAC users.

Can these people write, or can they write? Thier books are always easy to follow, and presented in an entertaining fashion as well. If Robin Williams had written books about all the subjects I so disliked in school, I would undoubtedly have been very well read in all topics.
In a matter of minutes, I was able to unlock a few mysteries about my Mac...in days, I was using the applications without fear or hesitation. And while I am quite aware of how user friendly Macs are anyway, Ms Williams takes away the fears I still tend to harbor. I'm no computer wiz kid, I am FAR on the opposite end of the spectrum. But this book in particular, opened my eyes....from a place of feeling overwhelmed by all the things I KNEW this little box could do(that I didn't think I could) to a world of fun, and confidence. Cool Mac Apps is quickly becoming my favorite book. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn anything about the iLife applications.

Book is very informative, easy to understand and use. I bought this book for school (I don't own a mac), but there were many things I learned about iTunes (only non Mac program I use) I wouldn't have known without reading this book. Definitely would recommend for anyone wanting to get the most out of their Mac.

As we have all come to expect from Robin Williams, this book is written in a clear, precise manor. The illustrations are all very helpful. I particularly like the way the windows of each application are illustrated with details about each item within the window.

I have been using OSX for over two years now and thought I knew my way around each of these applications, but I was able to learn a lot of easier ways to do things . I have also learned that there were a lot of the features that I was not even coming close to using to their full potential. I have been using iCal, iTunes, and iPhoto on an almost daily basis, so these new tips and techniques are a real timesaver for me.

I was really surprised at how much new knowledge I gained on using Safari. I am on the internet on a daily basis and just took the browser for granted. The quick Tips section was very helpful. The section on RSS feeds opened up a whole new world of information for me.

Cool Mac Apps is a must have reference book that every MAC user needs in their personal library. I would give this book an excellent rating!

The 1970's was the nadir in the history of the US Army. This book helps explain and demonstrate the malaise that infected the Army when put in an impossible place at an impossible time. Interestingly, the malaise, rather than being confined to this theater of operations, spread throughout the whole organization and took years to correct. Undermining your troops by putting them in harm's way when the outcome (one that gained nothing) had already been determined by politicians was criminal. This lesson had been demonstrated, incredibly in this very region, at Dien Bien Phu when French politicians put the final nail in its coffin by announcing an intended negotiated end to hostilities. It is a tribute to the professionalism of our current army that similar problems are not being encountered in Afghanistan and Iraq as the politicians scrabble over the region as an election resource.

AASIGNED TO COMPANY "D" 1/46, 196 INF, I KNOW MR. NOLAN HAS TONS IF INTERVIEWS AND DOCUMENTS ON THE SUBJECT, FSB MARY ANN, I BELIEVE THAT VOLUMES COULD AND SHOULD BE WRITTEN, AS WELL AS, PHOTOS, NOT TO STOP SHORT OF A FEATURE FILM.....

This book helped me remember how lucky I am to be here to read it. I was amazed at how much detail he found in his research, best one Ive read on viet nam and what it was really like. Thanks mr. Nolan

The war was winding down but for the men of the 196th LIB home was just a distant dream. As a member of Charlie Company, I can attest to the accuracy and fairness the author treats the grunts of LZ MaryAnn. I only pray that we will never see a war like VN again.

This book caused me to think of people and places I hadn't thought of for the past 30 years. I served with Delta company Sept. 1970 till July 1, 1971. Keith Nolan told a story that should have been told long ago. After reading Sappers in the Wire I was upset with some of the things that were said about Delta. But I now realize that not everyone will recall events in the same light. It has a lot to do with where you are at in the chain of command. This book caused me to get in touch with quite a few of my wartime brothers. It has also help me to remember things that were in the back of my mind, THANKS Keith for telling at least part of The Professionals story of 1970- 1971. I will re-read this book over and over, because each time it helps me remember more.
SFC Joseph H. Wolfe, Jr. US Army (Ret)
Charleston, SC

I learned more from this book than all of my screenwriting classes combined. The information therein is priceless.

This is a practical and necesssary tool as well as an invaluable road map to writing action films.I've been a successful screenwriter for over seven years and I owe much of my success to reading this book four years ago. Mr. Martell is an excellent coach and I can't recommend enough that anyone who wants to write action films needs to study this material. Its a very funny read and you can tell its written by a smart writer who is dedicated to watching far too many DVD's. He's a fan just like us. If you want to know all the tricks of this genre and some really cool tips on coming up with script ideas then get this book.

What a gem. This book is packed with everything the author deems necessary for ensuring you have an action-packed SP. He uses small chapters that are easy to follow and provides lots of examples from films and fragments from actual scripts (his own as well as others). This is not a how-to, more a what-others-do-that works. Actually, even if you're not a writer, this book is a great read for an insight into what analytically makes an action-flic.

This book isn't a broad examination of story structure like you find in Robert McKee's "Story," or an abstract analysis of archetypes and forms like in "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler (both excellent books in their own right). Instead, Bill Martell bypasses the forest and takes you straight to the trees to explain the nuts and bolts of storytelling through screenplays.

The book's title sells itself a bit short; this isn't just a book about writing screenplays for what are traditionally considered action genres. While the information is certainly presented in the context of action films, much of it would be just as applicable to, say, romantic comedies or period dramas. Topics covered include sidekicks, love interests, building suspense, plot twists and reversals, all of which have broader application than just "action" films.

Martell knows his subject well and has studied hundreds of movies to figure out what works on film and why. He frequently uses examples from specific movies-often his own-to help drive home his points. And he doesn't pull any punches in pointing out where some films go wrong.

While explaining the common storytelling devices used in film, Martell draws on his real-world experience as a screenwriter to help you appreciate the perspective of producers, directors and actors who might read your script. These are obviously important considerations if you ever hope to see your baby on the big screen.

Somewhat surprising is the number of typographical errors in this book, which easily could have been avoided by a careful review of the manuscript. But it's a minor distraction from an otherwise excellent book.

I'm a big fan of Tony Robbins. Yeah, the infomercial guy. One thing that Tony teaches is that if you want to learn how to do something, find an expert and model them. Learn what they do, how they do it, and learn those exact same habits, actions and ways of thinking.
With over seventeen sold screenplays, Bill Martell is an excellent choice for you to learn action screenwriting from. He's sold over seventeen scripts! How many screenplays have Syd Field, Robert McKee, Linda Seger, Michael Hauge and John Truby sold recently? Not a hell of a lot, because they are too busy raking money in, hand over fist, by doing nothing but teaching arcane, over intellectualized and just plain weird ways to write screenplays.
Martell breaks it down to the basics, baby. Every page, I'm having an 'Ah Ha!' moment. I break out the highlighter, I write the nugget of information down, for use in my own scripts.
Do yourself a favor and get this book. It's small, it's succinct and it's learning from a guy who's a working, selling screenwriter.
Deal with the facts of the business and learn how to write selling screenplays; get Bill Martell's book today.

- William Mize, Shamus Award nominee, creator of the Denton Ward and Monty Crocetti mystery series.

I read this book quite some time ago. It is filled with 100's of positive affirmations to be used in almost any situation. I have used it to create personal change and would suggest it.

Donald Ryles PhD, CH
Author of Hidden Secrets of "Many, But One"

It's been a few months since I got the book. Currently I am using the scripts that are included in the book.

This review is to testify, that ones you do it with intent, focus and passion, the rewards are very obvious.

There are scripts covering virtually every area of your life. I give this book my highest recommendations as it helps me manage myself and to direct my thoughts.

You will have to take the time and to be passionate about it, but once you do, the pay-offs are enormous.

Positive self-talk just flat out works and this books provides explicit scripts to use. I've worn out two copies and I'm very disappointed that Amazon doesn't currently carry it in stock. This is one classic that will never be out of style.

This book, and its predecessor What To Say When You Talk ..., has been a godsend. It has helped raise my self esteem and my low moods. I spend about a half hour most days reading the affirmative essays in Part 2. This daily practice plus a half hour of meditation have done wonders for my emotional well being. I am almost completely convinced of the author's premise that we can undo our negative programming and live a more productive and enjoyable life by frequently reading the essays. This is a book I will treasure for life. I am giving copies to friends.

I was frustrated and depressed when I first picked up this book. I was jobless, flat broke, nearly homeless. "I can't do anything right. I should just quit. I should just kill myself."
In fact, I was suicidal.

With a little counselling and "The Self-Talk Solution" I was able to revolutionize my life. Dr. Helmstetter's book offers a practical method to change the patterns of your thinking: what you are saying to yourself, and to consciously take control of your mental thinking- and consequently your entire life. These are more than simple affirmations, or "postive thinking" - instead Dr. Helmstetter shows literally how to re-train your entire mental processes into powerful, enabling, patterns that you choose. What if you could re-program your thinking?

In the five years since discovering this book I picked up my life, got a job I love, found a loving relationship, went back to University and travelled to five countries in Asia. But really, the best part is how I now think about myself, I never again have to deal with the depression and low-esteem that previously plagued my life. I hope you will enjoy this book.

I studied this book like a Bible when I was a kid, lying on the floor all weekend. I started on the easy reads like Allie Oop and Buster Brown, then slowly got drawn-in to strange ones like Krazy Kat. I was surprised by the great narratives in strips I'd only seen in tired forms, like Popeye and Mickey Mouse. All the way into college I was still making new discoveries, eventually coming all the way back to love the pure optimism of Buster Brown. Astounding examples of art are all through this book; It's amazing.

Growing up in the 60s & 70s, I wasn't much enamored of comic strips appearing in the newspaper with a scant few exceptions. Newspaper comics were awfully stale if not comatose at the time; they smell even worse now. In light of this reality, thank God I found this book 20 years ago. To me, this mammoth oversized anthology of color and b/w strips (mostly vintage 1895-1950) was and is an education, a revelation and a door to a separate reality. Who knew that such fully realized, utterly compelling and unique works of art were once commonplace features in our daily and Sunday newspapers? Compiler Bill Blackbeard provides minimal but insightful commentary, which only underscores his good taste as the majority of SMITHSONIAN is devoted to the actual comics themselves. Wherever possible, he provides continuities of strips to give the reader not only a fuller flavor of the individual storylines and the era they appeared in, but each strip's particular dynamic with its audience. What's also impressive is the sheer number of titles sampled. Among the weightier excerpts are Popeye, Moon Mullins, Wash Tubbs/Capt. Easy, Barney Google, Polly and her Pals, Krazy Kat...but many of the lightly-skimmed properties are just as good. Set aside their enormous entertainment value and what you may find most impressive is how starkly individual each strip creator is; what ends up on the page is the sum total of one man's creative & emotional being, distorted through a prism of fantasy or slapstick or melodrama. Your net gain as reader: 336 pages of the kind of joyous, crazy, all-elbows-and-graceful-despite-it art that can only emerge from forms that the Arbiters of Taste don't take very seriously. Splendid as this book is the first time 'round, it continues to enrich you, always revealing more with every subsequent re-reading. Out of print for a while but readily available through the online auction services; I also hear it's being reissued soon. By the way, the other mandatory strip anthologies are the 'sequel' to this one (COMIC STRIP CENTURY), an important predecessor (Robinson's THE COMICS) and the entire run of Rick Marschall's NEMO magazine; happily, there is next to no duplication of strips reprinted between all of them (apparently the archivist's code of honor). If this book floors you like it did me, seek them out and flabbergast further.

not a longwinded anecdote about an age by someone who wasnt a part of it but the strips, sundays and dalies, from the turn of the century heavy into the forties with a quick touch of fifties to top it off. has the prestige and backing of the smithsonian, so the selection is incredible, complete storylines are presented, color, large format, things youve never seen before and will never see again. thimble theatre, krazy kat, flash gordon, ally oop, mutt and jeff, king aroo, dasheil hammet, rube goldberg, walt disney, dick tracy, little orphan annie, white boy, li'l abner, terry and the pirates, winsor mckay including little nemo sundays, a large number of teens and twenties strips i cant name, a large number of thirties and forties strips i cannot name, i am in awe of this book. i am a comic maker and reader and this book is absolutely flooring.

This is a beautifully packaged collection of some of the very best comic-strip art from the first half of the 20th century (and a little more). The reproduction is very good, the introductory material is useful and informative and the selection of strips is first rate.

In particular, having collected several of these strips in other formats over the years (e.g. "Little Nemo", "Polly and Her Pals" and "Krazy Kat"), I can say that they've selected many of my personal favorites for inclusion here.

As I write this, this book is basically in "remainder" status meaning that it is available brand new for very cheap, but has gone out of print in hardcover - pick it up while you can!

One day I had to go to the library to get a book from my 7th grade reading list and I saw this huge book of comics and I just had to take it out. I read it probably 100 times .It became my favorite book.My favorite comics were Popeye, Gasoline Alley, The Smythes,and Krazy Kat. I love this book and you will to. So my advice to you is if you love comics you will love this book!

...in new ways. Highlights the importance of the fact that you can't just care about your own kids' health, safety, welfare. It really does take a village. And the parts about shutting down disrespect, instead of continuinig the conversation...good stuff ("This conversation is over."). Of course, when my mother did that I was LIVID. But that's different: She was an ineffective parent all around, trying to use that tactic. An effective parent using that tool is a whole different story. Reminds you that YOU are in charge, and don't be a wimp. Easier said than done, for sure. He is SO SO SO SO SO SO right about appropriate structure and discipline sending the message "I love you" to kids. My mother was never around (and then had the nerve to be surprised and upset - as did my divorced weekend father - when I got into trouble), so we did what we wanted. As adults, instead of thinking "How cool! We were lucky and the envy of our friends!" my sister and I now think, "Wow, she clearly didn't give a rat's about us."

Mr. Doherty does a wonderful job of helping parents understand why they feel so compelled to register their children for every class, lesson, sporting activity, acting lesson and every other opportunity that is packaged and marketed to families. Understanding that children are not consumers of parenting services, helps us understand that children should be allowed to be children, looking to strong, confident parents for boundaries and values. This book points out that the most important thing in your child's life will not be how many trips to Disneyland you provide, or how many weekends your family gave up to travel with the select soccer team. Rather it reminds us that the best gift parents can give their children is the gift of parents who have a committed, loving relationship, and who are willing to take time to be with their chidren creating strong connections and rituals that make children feel safe and secure. This book does not lay a heavy dose of "family values" on you, rather it tells you that you, the confident parent, are in charge of how your children will grow up. It also helps one to understand that confident parenting will result in your children growing up to be well-adjusted, confident adults. I recommend this for everyone!

Some of the topics discussed in this book

The Consumer Culture of Childhood
Being a Confident Parent in an Insecure World
Activvating Necessary Skills for Effective Parenting
Strategies for Expecting and Getting Respect
Family Time and a Child's Own Life
What's So Important About Gamily Rituals
The Importance of Family Work
Why Anger-Free Parenting Does Not Work
How to Express Anger Constructively
Responsibilities to a Religious Congregation
How to Work as a Team Raising Responsible Children
Father as Consultant on Morals and Social Behavior
How to be an Influential Father
Guidelines and Strategies for Single Parents
Achieving Confident Parenting in Stepfamilies
Unplugging Your Kids: Media & Child Rearing
Resisting the Peer Cultures of Children and Parents

This book should be required reading for anyone who thinks he or she wants children. As a parent who feels like she's struggling upstream against a tide of other, more permissive parents, it was a relief to read a book that validates my own approach. As parents struggle to provide a multitude of opportunities for their children, we often lose sight of what our children really need to develop into responsible, caring adults. Dr. Doherty's book quickly sets out what our priorities should be and how we should accomplish them.

Let me share a short story about why this book made such good sense to me.

I have two friends, who I'll call Candace and Mary. Candace is the kind of mom who jumps every time her daughter says boo, no matter how demanding or rude the request. Mary, on the other hand, was less 'conscientious.' Her husband was, at times, downright gruff with their kids when they got obnoxious. I always assumed that Candace, because she worked so much harder, was the better mother. Then one day it hit me like a bolt of lightning: Candace's daughter was a whiny, unhappy little girl, whereas Mary's were much happier.

For some reason, many parents of my generation feel we must give our children our constant, undivided attention, must protect them from all forms of disappointment, and never, ever be angry with them. Doherty shows why that's a recipe for disaster. He looks at these misconceptions and gives good, sensible guidance. Probably one of the best parenting books I've ever read.

If you want to make your marriage work, or even if you're not sure if you do or not, you must read this book. I've recommended it to so many friends and the results have always been positive. Its premise goes even beyond strictly just helping your marriage to helping your life by helping you frame your thoughts and actions.

This book gives specific ways to help couples/individuals rethink the stage of their life in their marriage. Eye opening to what can and often does happen to couples and how the issues can be avoided and/or resolved.

This book should be required reading for all married couples, and even for those engaged or considering marriage so the many pitfalls and misconceptions so prevalent today can be hopefully avoided.

This book is a giant gulp of fresh air. It's easy to read and understand without being simplistic; it's neither gimmicky nor condescending; and the advice and insights within it are sensible and do-able. So much of it rang true that I found myself wondering whether the author has been secretly hanging out at my house. He suggests that we, as a community, try to support each other's marriages, and I plan to start by referring my friends to this book.

I think the most important part of this book was the fundamental hopefulness about what might feel like a hopeless situation.

This is an excellent book for those of us who have been practicing therapists and have a desire to do what we actually intended when we chose this profession in the first place. The book is well written. It provides a comprehensive discussion of the differences between coaching and psychotherapy or counseling. After defining what this new and exciting field is all about, the authors have given us newcomers to the field a wonderful manual to assist us in establishing a coaching practice. You couldn't really ask for more... unless you want even more of a headstart; you might enroll in Pat's Life Coach Training course, a 30 hour course which supplements the book. A complimentary introductory session is available by going to the Institute web site,...Life coaching is a natural evolution from traditional therapy practices. Moving into this field has transformed my life. Thank you Pat and Deborah!

This book goes far beyond helping therapists transition into life coaching. It gives the reader a very clear and exciting introduction to this new and upcoming field. It was my first real introduction to coaching, yet after training in the field and went back and read it again and got even more out of it.
The book explains the difference between coaching and therapy, and also helps the reader decide which is best for her/him. Exercises are provided to help the reader's decision making. The way the book is put together the authors quite effectively coach the reader toward the possibilities and the joys of coaching. They also spend a good number of pages on how to start a coaching business. I loved it. As an aspiring life-coach I say "thank you."

There are 3 kinds of people who must read this book:
1. Therapists who are looking to add professional coaching to their list of services or who are making a transition away from traditional therapy into life coaching.
2. Professional Coaches who specialize or want to specialize in life coaching.
3. Established Life Coaches.

There is something for everyone in this book, but particularly for these 3 groups of people there is NO BETTER BOOK AVAILABLE to help you make this transition in the fastest and most efficient way possible.

Pat Williams is one of America's Top Professional Coaches. In addition to his nationally recognized coach training program (lifecoachtraining.com), he is also on the board of the International Coach Federation (coachfederation.org), one of the top speakers in the field, and on the cutting-edge of standardizing and professionalizing the field of coaching.

I can't recommend this book high enough. I firmly believe this book should be on the bookshelf of every professional life coach.

This is a truly extraordinary book that gives the reader a guide to the profession of life coaching.

It is an eyeopening source of information, not only for the business of coaching, but also for the development of their relationships with clients as well as themselves.

Chock full of resources and tools, this A MUST HAVE!

This a an extraordinary book that belongs on the shelves (and in the heart) of every therapist AND every coach. Frankly, I've heard Pat Williams speak, so I fully expected to like the book, but even so, I was surprised by just how good, how inspiring, practical and helpful it is. Williams and Davis do a great service for mental health workers, counselors, social workers and Psychologists by affirming the power of what "we" do, and by expanding the boundaries within which we operate. At the same time, they also provide a great reminder for coaches of what WE do, how we do it, and how powerful it is!

The book is elegantly laid-out, easy to follow and powerfully practical. The heart of the message is that caring for and WITH people truly matters. Whether we are labeled as "mental health practitioners" or "spiritual ministers" or coaches, we all use highly sophisticated skills, some that are ancient and timeless, and others that are new and scientifically "proven," to help people transform their lives.

The book is directly aimed at "helping professionals." The message is that what mental health professionals do is IMPORTANT, even if insurance companies and (at times) our culture fails to appreciate it. Williams and Davis present practical, do-able paths that allow professionals to reclaim their independence and do the work they love and are trained to do well.

The exciting part of the book for me, as a Psychologist who has already transitioned into coaching, was the delightful, passionate reminder of what coaches actually DO! While this is an introduction or over-view of coaching, I found the reminders, the affirmations, and the passion extremely helpful. As "people experts" it is good to be reminded of how much we know, how skilled we are, how many "tools" we have in our toolbox!

I found the book easily readable, very well-thought-out, and helpful. I highly recommend it for (1) anyone considering entering the field of coaching, (2) mental health professionals who are tired or restless and looking for a new challenge, and (3) for coaches who want a helpful survey of the skills and strengths we bring to our work. All three groups will get a tremendous lift and find it a helpful read.

A Fascinating Historic Glimpse of Civil War Sacrifice, August 11, 2003
Reviewer: ndrsn1 from Moline, IL
This book captured my attention from start to end. It is informative as well as entertaining. It examines the sacrifices of going to war at a time when war was a line 'em up face-to-face endeavor. And it provides the regular soldier's insights as to why they were willing to fight that war. It also takes a good look at the Irish immigrant to this country and the internal conflicts within that immigrant community regarding the Civil War. Fascinating to read. Only negative - too many composition errors that should have been corrected prior to publication. But the story line carries the book past this irritating problem.

A gripping story!, March 17, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from MESA, AZ United States
My father grew up in the Philadelphia/Manyunk area where the story takes place. He gave me the book to read since I was familiar with the neighborhood. I sat down to read it, thinking this was going to be another stuffy history book that I was going to skim through. From the very beginning of the book, I was intrigued, and sat up all night to finish it. The writing style was very readable, and immediately I was taken into Keenan's life. I knew that most immigrants had a hard time when they arrived in America, but I had no idea they were treated just as badly as the blacks. This book gave me a new perspective on what the Irish went through, as well as the soldiers' sufferings in the Civil War. I saw how Keenan and his fellow Irishmen tried to get work or start a new life, but were greeted by competition for jobs at the factory, and signs in store windows that would not allow Irishmen inside. As Keenan and his friend went off to fight the Civil War, they thought things would change for the better. Instead they found out the cruel, harsh realities of war. Disentary, disease, starvation, frostbite, limbs blown off, and ears or eyes destroyed from battle. Both men in the story spent time in POW camps, if you could call them that, under horrible conditions. Death seemed imminent in these camps. When the war miraculously ended, Keenan finally returned to his wife and hometown expecting a hero's welcome. I won't ruin everything by telling you the ending, but it is a worthwhile read. A perfect read for St Patrick's Day.

The Debt Has Been Repaid, September 7, 2002
Reviewer: Dottie Wiegand from Atco, New Jersey
Within the realm of formal education, the Civil War has essentially been presented as a timeline of dates, battles, notable victories,and crushing defeats for both armies.Mr.Sudell modifies all of that. Through the introduction of authentic characters and veterans of that era,he colors that same timeline with such depth and dimension that the reader lives with the characters and endures their fears and fervor, their agonies and jubilations. John Keenan, Mr. Sudell's great, great-uncle and a Civil War veteran, relates his battle and prisoner-of-war experiences, and, while horrified by the indignities suffered, we are reassured by the indestuctible will of the human spirit and the unwavering sense of patriotism.The title,Though All The World Betrays Thee, provides a clue as to the manner in which we did not repay the debt of gratitude owed.It remained outstanding until the arrival of Mr. Sudell's book. I believe that he has repaid that debt in full. Thank you.

A labor of love, a pleasure to read!, June 28, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, TX United States
I've tried over the past few months to write an elegant review for "Though All The World Betrays Thee" which grasps the reader's attention and effective conveys the struggle of the "second-class citizens" during the American Civil War. I have failed. Fortunately for us, in his novel Mr. Sudell has not. It's a very good book, labor of love and a pleasure to read.

I've tried over the past few months to write an elegant review for "Though All The World Betrays Thee" which grasps the reader's attention and effective conveys the struggle of the "second-class citizens" during the American Civil War. I have failed. Fortunately for us, in his novel Mr. Sudell has not. It's a very good book, labor of love and a pleasure to read.

This book captured my attention from start to end. It is informative as well as entertaining. It examines the sacrifices of going to war at a time when war was a line 'em up face-to-face endeavor. And it provides the regular soldier's insights as to why they were willing to fight that war. It also takes a good look at the Irish immigrant to this country and the internal conflicts within that immigrant community regarding the Civil War. Fascinating to read. Only negative - too many composition errors that should have been corrected prior to publication. But the story line carries the book past this irritating problem.

My father grew up in the Philadelphia/Manyunk area where the story takes place. He gave me the book to read since I was familiar with the neighborhood. I sat down to read it, thinking this was going to be another stuffy history book that I was going to skim through. From the very beginning of the book, I was intrigued, and sat up all night to finish it. The writing style was very readable, and immediately I was taken into Keenan's life. I knew that most immigrants had a hard time when they arrived in America, but I had no idea they were treated just as badly as the blacks. This book gave me a new perspective on what the Irish went through, as well as the soldiers' sufferings in the Civil War. I saw how Keenan and his fellow Irishmen tried to get work or start a new life, but were greeted by competition for jobs at the factory, and signs in store windows that would not allow Irishmen inside. As Keenan and his friend went off to fight the Civil War, they thought things would change for the better. Instead they found out the cruel, harsh realities of war. Disentary, disease, starvation, frostbite, limbs blown off, and ears or eyes destroyed from battle. Both men in the story spent time in POW camps, if you could call them that, under horrible conditions. Death seemed imminent in these camps. When the war miraculously ended, Keenan finally returned to his wife and hometown expecting a hero's welcome. I won't ruin everything by telling you the ending, but it is a worthwhile read. A perfect read for St Patrick's Day.

Within the realm of formal education, the Civil War has essentially been presented as a timeline of dates, battles, notable victories,and crushing defeats for both armies.Mr.Sudell modifies all of that. Through the introduction of authentic characters and veterans of that era,he colors that same timeline with such depth and dimension that the reader lives with the characters and endures their fears and fervor, their agonies and jubilations. John Keenan, Mr. Sudell's great, great-uncle and a Civil War veteran, relates his battle and prisoner-of-war experiences, and, while horrified by the indignities suffered, we are reassured by the indestuctible will of the human spirit and the unwavering sense of patriotism.The title,Though All The World Betrays Thee, provides a clue as to the manner in which we did not repay the debt of gratitude owed.It remained outstanding until the arrival of Mr. Sudell's book. I believe that he has repaid that debt in full. Thank you.