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The story is well described in the other reviews, especially in the first one above from the professional reviewer, but I do find it necessary to point out a few observations:

First: George Orwell is a literary genius. There's a reason why he graces the cover of the book: Don't Weep for Me, America: How Democracy in America Became the Prince (While We Slept). If you liked "Animal Farm", "1984" is going to knock you into another thought paradigm.

Secondly, and more important: Whether you read about "Animal Farm" from the professional reviewers, Cliff Notes, or in the introduction to the book itself, there is one self-imposed "limitation" that stays consistent throughout, and that is the sovereign state Orwell has in mind when he wrote "Animal Farm" (or "1984" for that matter)is the Soviet Union. While this may be true, the bigger and more relevant point is getting missed. This bigger and more relevant point is that for ANY sovereign nation, when there is a change of power in its governance (for its betterment), it is ALWAYS the case, I repeat, it is ALWAYS the case that the new governance will gradually become the same as the one it replaced. Look no further than the United States of America. The 1776 rebels overthrew the British tyrant, King George III, mostly due to oppressive business practices, taxes and lack of representation. And look where we are today, in 2008! Corporations rule. Taxes, which we already fought one war over, are exorbitant, and Congress is simply a millionaires club representing the wealthy.

How do we know that George Orwell saw this happening? Because he worked in the BBC and the BBC was spewing the SAME propaganda that the Soviet Union was using. How do we know this? Because writer Martin Esslin worked at the BBC at the same time as Orwell and he wrote that this was the case! For further reference, see my review of the book: U.S. Television News and Cold War Propaganda, 1947-1960 (Cambridge Studies in the History of Mass Communication).

So the point, as is the point with ALL my reviews is this: Become a CRITICAL THINKER!

The book was in great condition and was promptly delivered. I highly recommend using you guys again.

George Orwell's classic novel, Animal Farm, is basically a book that shows the reader all of the problems with communism. Animal Farm first addresses the problem of how tempting communism sounds to the uninformed, and in some cases uneducated, ear. Doesn't it sound nice that everyone pulls their own weight and everyone reaps the benefits? It did to the animals of Manor Farm. At first it was great without those pesky humans around; the animals ate all of the food and got to keep their children. However, it quickly became very obvious that this system wasn't working. The pigs, the smartest of all the farm animals, began to take over led by Napoleon and Snowball. Soon after the establishment of Animal Farm (formerly known as Manor Farm) seven commandments were set forth such as "no animal shall sleep in a bed", "no animal shall kill any other animal", "all animals are equal", etc. After Napoleon ran Snowball off the farm with vicious dogs, Napoleon claimed full leadership of the farm and its animals. One by one, Napoleon modified each of the seven commandments to fit his liking such as "no animal shall drink alcohol to excess." In the end of the book it is impossible for Clover, a horse of Manor Farm (formerly known as Animal Farm and more formerly known as Manor Farm), to tell the difference between the pigs and humans while they are playing a card game.
I would recommend this book to the reader that loves irony. Throughout the story I kept wondering who was going to be the first animal to figure out that in order get rid a tyrant (Mr. Jones the farm owner) they acquired another ("Comrade" Napoleon). Alas I was relieved when a horse realized that Napoleon was changing the commandments for his own benefit. However, when the horse kept this knowledge to himself I was angry at him. I asked myself, "Why wouldn't he show the animals who Napoleon really is?" I never figured it out but for the reader who loves character analysis, this is the book for you! However, this book isn't written for the people who want everything spoon-fed to them. But for the reader that feels the need to read between the lines Animal Farm is full of mysteries for you to figure out.

Animal Farm begins as a tale of triumph over the human race for animals. Yet as it continues you realize the humans never really left. The pigs take over and become the one thing they swore they hated. The worst part is the other animals don't do anything about it and suffer, and whether they do in the future or not we never find out. If happy endings are your thing, forget about this book, because it only represents the cruelest and hardest parts of life, from where there is no rescue. It is disappointing in happiness, yet you cant leave the book unsatisfied, for it does contain a powerful message,we all need to learn whether we like to hear it or not. Life is not all sugar and gumdrops, it also contains Brussels sprouts and tripe, and some people only get the sprouts and tripe, when most of us have the sugar and gumdrops. Orwell is an amazing author and the book is amazing, but for a mature audience( such as myself).

Deemed a classic by modern day scholars, George Orwell's Animal Farm is a must read. It is a humorous yet realistic satire on Soviet Russia. Although never specifically named as the target of Orwell's story, much controversy has come about from Animal Farm's similarities to the Russian Revolution. Telling the story of animals who are tired of suffering under the oppression of humans, it brilliantly illuminates the struggle of the common man against tyranny. Old Major, a prize winning boar who has the revolutionary spirit of Karl Marx, tells the animals of a dream he has had of a utopian farm where animals have the power. After winning over the emotions of most of the farm animals, Old Major dies and the pigs (Napoleon and Snowball) take over the revolution. Napoleon forces his way into unquestioned power using underhanded tactics and clever slogans like "Napoleon is always right" and "Four legs good, two legs bad." Addressing his fellow animals as "comrades" Napoleon is reminiscent of Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, covering up the corruption of the farm by saying it's all "for the good of the animals." As conditions worsen and support for the revolution dwindles, the power is questioned and the animals wonder what happened to their dream of equality.
The allusions pour out of this seemingly elementary story, every action was masterfully planned by Orwell to emulate history. For readers who enjoy history and contextual significance, Animal Farm is perfect. Even readers with no knowledge of the political importance behind this book would still find delight in this whimsical story of animals that kick the humans off their farm and try to set up their own government. It is an extremely simple concept, yet is speaks volumes about revolution gone wrong. George Orwell's progressive eccentricity mixed with his classy criticism makes Animal Farm perfectly poignant. This reader would recommend it to all ages!

"I'm finding Steinbeck to be just a really reliable author. I've enjoyed everything that I've read of his. This short novel was engaging and meaningful - I especially enjoyed the richness of the characters and the themes of companionship, dreams, and dissapointment."

The book, Of Mice and Men, has to be one of the good books I've read in a long time. The good parts about it are at the start, you get to meet the characters on how they act and the way they get along. Of course, there are some bad parts in books. One of them is when one of the bunk mates picks a fight with Lennie, because he is taller than him!
Of Mice and Men, Lennie Small and George Milton take a bus, after getting chased by a mob, to a new job. After a couple hours and a lot of walking, they get to the job only to get the job, get in a fight for no reason, and work for good money. About the characters, George and Lennie, George is a quick-witted man that became friends with Lennie back when they were younger. Lennie was told to go with George to get a job by his aunt Clara. They both have a dream of a ranch, where their friends can stay, and people they don't know can leave. Lennie dreams of tending the rabbits. After a while, George and Lennie meet Candy, a nice old man that said he would help in the dream ranch. The dream ranch may work out; they have most of the money, but somewhere along the way someone messes it up, and it falls back to the way it was. Do you think they get the dream ranch? Read the book to find out what all happens.

Of Mice and Men is a novel based on the lives of two men, Lennie and George, who travel together. Lennie is a mentally unstable grown man, who acts like a child but has amazing strength-which inadvertantly gets him into trouble. After a misinterperated mishap in Weed, Lennie and George escape to avoid being lynched. They are left a long distance from their work after the driver of the bus on which they were travelling tells them that the distance is not far. Here is where we learn about Lennie's dream of living in their own house... which, at this point, is only a made up story to keep Lennie busy. The next morning, they travel to a working ranch, where they meet Slim, who is not the boss but seems to have the upper hand among the men, Candy, an old worker, Crooks, who works and is forced to live in the stables, and is mistreated because of the color of his skin, and Curley, a pugnacious character who also happens to be the boss's son. After a while, George begins to believe that the dream of owning a house could be possible, seeing how Candy offers to help to avoid being canned. Also, George confides in lim, telling him the story of himself and Lennie. As the story progresses, another mishap causes anger among the men, and forces George to make an important decision...

This is again one of those great American classics that deserve to be read by reluctant high schoolers. Sorry. I may have only given this three stars, but that does not mean by any means that this is a lousy book. This is a harsh look at the challenges to the Great American Dream, told through the eyes of a few ordinary people. Steinbeck's writing is sparse, but as usual he tells a fantastic, soul-stirring story that is, yes, tragic. But the symbolism and the meaning of it plus everything else makes this a worthy classic.

Before I begin my criticisms, I will mention that my focus of this review is not on my personal preferences regarding characterizations, settings, themes, authors, etc. I understand that I cannot expect all authors to write a story that I personally enjoy and can relate to. Even if the subject matter of Of Mice and Men had interested me, I still would have given the novel a one star rating because of my criticism that I will explain in this review.

I am giving this novel a one star rating because it has a lot of vulgar dialogue. There is an average of about 4 profanities per page.

Secondly, even if I were to set aside my moral views of this novel, I still would choose to give this novel a one star rating. In my opinion, the plot structure is not all that good. The climax and resolution could have followed directly after the first 1/3 of the novel. There are too many conversations that seem to fill up space with unnecessary dialogue which describes the backgrounds of characters and personalities that do not play a significant role (if even a role at all) in the outcome of the story.

Furthermore, Of Mice and Men has too many characters for its very simple plot. In my opinion, the advantage to having a lot of characters is to create intricate subplots which play a significant role in the outcome of the story

I do not insist on reading action-packed stories. In fact, I sometimes prefer stories that are mainly comprised of dialogue. However, I do always want to see that there is a CLEAR DIRECTION in the conversations that progressively leads to the climax. In my opinion, the dialogue in Of Mice and Men did not meet these criteria. In fact, mid-way through the novel, I really felt as though the story was approaching a dead-end, and I think that John Steinbeck probably felt the same way. Therefore, he made the climax take a sharp turn off course just so the plot would not slam into a wall.

Due to the offensive content and weak plot structure, I do not recommend Of Mice and Men.

This is the original (at least in terms of modern relevance) satire of modern warfare and decision making. However, it achieves a level of humour very rarely achieved elsewhere. It is a very personal book, and some of the personal touch, sidesplitting jokes, and very dark serious undercurrent make this resonate more with me than some of the other great "political / moral" satires - Animal Farm and 1984 after all can leave you feeling somewhat cold.

Although [...]. It had an incredible affect on me. It is incredibly funny, yet very sad in parts. Especially for example when you do finally find out what happened to the gunner, Snowden, in the mission to Avignon. Or when Yossarian walks through Rome.

The ideas concerning the ridiculuous nature of war are as topical now as they were in the 1960s. Actually, of course, Joseph Heller's presentation of the insanity around him predated the Vietnam War, and I wasn't around at that time to truly judge the feeling then.

The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny at times, as is the juxtapostion of events, as for example when Clevinger complains of confusing cause-and-effect in staring at the bomb-line on the map south of Bologna, willing the line to move itself and for the squadron to not have to fly the mission. In fact, the whole chapter in which this incident occurs, "Bologna" was the funniest in the book for me, with the rain beating down and the mission continually cancelled, Chief Whitehalfoat stealing a jeep to drive home, and Yossarian telling his pilot to turn around. And then, of course, Bologna was a milk-run; no glue gun there.

Anyone who has not read this book and is mystified by what is going on at the moment and since 2003 should read this book. It's not going to change the world, but it is food for thought.

Also highly recommended are the next two of Joseph Heller's novels, "Something Happened" and "Good as Gold."

Why is this a so-called "classic"? Got me. I have no idea. Another reviewer said that you could skip chapters and not miss anything. I agree. I first attempted this novel a few years ago. I quit in less than 50 pages, so bored was I. I picked it up again recently, and I'm now less than 50 pages from finishing. What an unfulfilling reading experience this is. There is no central unifying theme or plot - other than that war is hell and the military rarely makes sense. But we knew that, right? As for the whole catch-22 business, sure, that is amusing the first twenty times, but it gets old quickly. This story could have been told in 50 pages and even that would have been too much.

Why then, if it is so bad, am I about to finish it? You know how it is. You start reading, and you become determined to complete it, just to say you did. There is no enjoyment in it though. I am looking forward to getting done so that I can read something else. My advice? Don't read this novel. Read the ingredients on food packages in your cupboard instead. You'll have more fun.

This book is so good, my weak attempt at a review is not going to do it justice. But I'll try.

I knew before I was half-way through that this is going to be a favorite and I plan to re-read it immediately. The writing is so fresh, the character studies so sharp, and the satire so relevant in today's increasingly bureaucratic (corporate) society, no wonder it was so hard for me to find a used copy. It's definitely a book I plan to hold onto and enjoy re-reading every year.

Anyone who's ever worked for a big corporation (like myself) can identify with Heller's hilarious and angry take on bureaucracy. Gen. Peckem's quote reads like a line from Dilbert or Office Space:

"Just pass the work I assign you along to somebody else and trust to luck. We call that delegation of responsibility. Somewhere down near the lowest level of this coordinated organization I run are people who do get the work done when it reaches them, and everything manages to run along smoothly without too much effort on my part."

It's sad how true that is in real life.

But this book is not all satire. It has a big heart. I often found myself laughing and crying at the same time. I can tell Heller cares deeply for his characters, even when he makes high comedy out of their sad fates (such as what happens to poor Doc Daneeka). He's brutally honest about the horrors of war, and laces them with enough humanity to really break your heart. It all makes the climatic "miracle" that much more satisfying. It's a satire that ends with a message of hope. And I like that.

Many people call this book ant-war, but I don't think it is. It really comes down to the last conversation btw. Yossarian and Danby. The ideals of war can be good - who can argue against rescuing Western Europe from Nazi domination. But it's the method of war - and all the evils that go with it - that makes no sense. Are these evils worth the ideals? It's a catch-22. And it's a dilemma that applies to life in general, not just to war.

This book was non-engaging, talked about boring and non-sensical chit chat, and hung on its phrase "Catch 22." After patiently studying the book as well as reading it, I find this to be one of the most boring books I have ever read in my life. The plot was threadbare, the characters kept repeating the same words (ie "Do you think I'm crazy?" "No, you aren't crazy." "Yes, I sure am crazy!" "You aren't crazy." "I am.") and dragged on, and on. Another example of boring repetition is an entire chapter dedicated to a character talking about crabapples in his cheeks. I personally don't care if he does or not, and wish the author made a point quickly. All in all, this is a waste of $, a waste of time, and the second most boring book I have ever read after To Kill A Mockingbird.

It can be said of this book, as it can for most of McCullough's work, that it is a rare example of accurate history blended with well-crafted story telling that is equally appealing to both mainstream history buffs and seasoned professionals. Usually with books (music and movies too for that matter) it is the case that integrity and depth of ideas become diluted proportional to their popularity - something meant for a larger audience looses the specifics and details that are only appealing to a smaller set of people, thus reducing marketability. David McCullough, whether writing about a person, an event, or in this instance, a year's worth of events, consistently breaks this rule. 1776 is a readable book that deserves credit for its ability to enlighten the historical novice while contributing a worthwhile perspective to the first "official" year of American History.

The book itself is a simple narrative that moves proportionally and chronologically through the events of 1776. George Washington is the book's central figure. His relationship with Henry Knox stands out among numerous themes. Most of the emphasis is placed on the Siege of Boston, the Fall of New York, the New Jersey retreat, and the Battle of Trenton. While it takes place in early 1777 the Battle of Princeton is briefly detailed, largely because of its proximity in both time and importance to the Battle of Trenton. McCullough fills the spaces in between with a variety of stories pertaining to notable figures on both sides including Nathanial Greene, Israel "Old Put" Putnam, William and Richard Howe, and General Henry Clinton. One such story, a Thursday afternoon journey to Parliament by George III in October 1775 to discuss the Colonial problem, effectively starts off the book as it reviews the events of 1775, particularly Bunker Hill, and also delves into the daily political and social life of London. Some readers will be surprised to see an American book about the American Revolution cast King George III in a favorable, yet objective light. Absent from this book are the reports of a delusional tyrant. Instead we are given the description of a simple man, whose reported two favorite things included "a leg of mutton and his plain little wife", with a job to do and an empire to preserve.

A few things come to mind upon completion of this book. One is a sense that the real significance of the year 1776 was that of the decisions and sacrifices that were made along with the physical and mental conditions endured by those at every level who did the work. This same sentiment is also noted by the surprisingly brief appearance made by the Declaration of Independence roughly halfway through the book. Its absence does not imply a diminished sense of importance, rather a commitment to the reality that it was only a document that, no matter how eloquent, meant nothing without military success, which was hard to come by for the colonials in 1776.

Most notable of all is a point that McCullough alludes to throughout the book, first early on by the British parliament or through the eyes of loyalists fleeing Boston, then later from the perspective of the English and Hessians troops pushing through New Jersey. The point being the fact that this revolution was started and carried out by people who had some of the best material lives that the 18th century had to offer. The question of why they were doing it and what they were willing to go through is a large part of what makes the American Revolution the fascination that it is. 1776 is a thorough exploration of this important history that should, and probably will, contribute something significant to any reader's understanding of the American Revolution.

NOTE: There are some authors who read their own work on audio format and David McCullough is one of them. This book is available unabridged. Sometimes, particularly with abridgments, listening to a book in audio format gets frowned upon, as if it is considered cheating or at least skimping. This review has been written by someone who has both read and listened to parts of this book. McCullough's narrating skills being what they are, which is to say superb, leave one with the sense that both formats are legitimate and make a strong case for the validity of well produced audio presentations.

1776 Adds perspective to the American Revolution, and provides many new details, but is a bit long for those just wanting basic history.

This may not be the definitive book about the Revolutionary War, but it is a great place to start learning more about American History. It's meant to be a companion book to the biography "John Adams" and it serves its purpose well.

I like history, and I love the way that David McCullough conveys history not as a set of dates, places, and events, but as stories. He brings each historical figure to life and has a unique way of teaching history that I think most readers will enjoy.

Do yourself a favor and pick up "John Adams" too and read them both.

This is a heckuva well researched book. In terms of content, it can't be beat. The writing tends to be a bit uneven at times, with sentences that seem to lack flow and rhythm, but McCullough is first and foremost a historian and not a stylist.

Overall, 1776 deserves high praise.

Wonderfully researched by McCullough's staff and various librarians all over America and the UK. This book is worth purchasing used if only for the bibliography, which covers more than 20 pages. Alas, Pulitzer Prize & National Book Award winning author, David McCullough delivers by far the weakest presentation of material I've yet to read by him. Truman and John Adams are towering works and Mornings on Horseback is an excellent read. I've not read any of his other books.

1776 is a short, quick, unchallenging read about a particular aspect of an extraordinarily important period in American history. McCullough does not concern himself beyond the most perfunctatorial mentioning of anything besides the struggle between the American army under General George Washington and the British army it opposed in Boston, in and around New York City and in New Jersey. From rousing victory without bloodshed to crushing and repeated defeats to tide-turning and decisive victory.

McCullough's presentation is dutiful and repetitive. Only General Washington is delineated with any particular effort. Other important personages are presented with an offhanded chattiness just barely this side of cuteness. The miserableness of the American army is incessantly referred to, as is the commonness of it's soldiers. McCullough seems to have an almost perverse insistance that American freedom was bought with the blood of the most vulgar wretches imaginable; the lowest of the low. Duly noted. Wars are rarely fought by the rich and there was nothing profoundly patriotic or "American" about the peasantry of nation taking up arms to defend it's land. What's your point, Mr. McCullough?

This is McCullough's only effort and describing battle tactics and events that I'm aware of and he does not equip himself well. He fails to convey with any clarity the lay of the land, intended tactics or actual troop movements. He describes land only very generally, general orders vaguely and troop movements hurridly. To read the seige of Boston & battles of New York and New Jersey, I would recommend using the internet for area maps, specific orders and other helpful clarifying information. It may well be McCullough's strength lay much more in biography (Adams, Truman, T. Roosevelt, Brave Companions subjects) and topical history (Brooklyn Bridge, Johnstown Flood and Panama Canal) than in the minutae of military history.

McCullough's tone is relaxed and chatty to a fault. I like my history as easily digestable as the next guy but there is a fine line between popular history and a downright commercial presentation deliberately designed to capitalize on the author's popularity. For all of the research, there is very little hard history here. Furthermore, it has been my experience that Revolutionary War history, both militarily and politically, is best understood by reading biographies of the principal participants, particularly Washington, Andrew Hamilton, Adams, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson because a well written biography inevitably places the subject in the larger context of their time. This is not a necessary read as the same information can be had with a reading any one of the several excellent biographies of Washington availiable in conjuction with a familiarity with the numerous websited that delineate in excruciating detail the actual events of the battles outlined in this book.

Why are the simple things so hard to do? As I look back at my past decisions when dealing with people I laugh because I noticed how many situations I could have approached differently. How to Win Friends & Influence People is a must read for everyone and should be taught to kids when they are young so when they get older they'll be able to deal with people in a more civilized and respectful manner.

I read this book decades ago and it changed my life. It's unbelievable and every human being should read it. As I was surfing Amazon looking for another book, I happen to notice it and had to write a review. I have to tell everybody how great this book is. I couldn't just not tell everyone. The author is brilliant! This book is so motivational that it truly changed my life and made me a better human being. There's a section in there about a father and a son, that I'll never forget - it really moved me. Every father should read that section.

Everyone should read this book. There is nothing bad that can come from it. The stories contained are interesting and the concepts are completely simple. In fact, nothing taught here was ever mind blowing or surprising. The surprising part was the self reflection it brought and the desire it created in me to want to adapt concepts from this book I previously felt needless. This is the kind of reading I wish I was forced to read growing up and not books about a bunch of stupid kids on an island that go crazy and fight each other.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a must-read for anyone who desires to put the Golden Rule into everyday use. Through numerous stories and examples, Mr. Carnegie shows how we can truly accomplish the impossible---just by putting others' interests before our own. The book bogs down a little if you try to read through it all at once, so I would recommend breaking it up and just reading a chapter or two at a time. Definitely push through to the end--it's very worth it!

This book is chock full of practical, common sense advice. Want people to like you? Show you like THEM, smile, be honestly happy to see them, remember their names, be interested in them, listen to them, etc. Want to influence them? Don't argue or tell them they are wrong (even if they are), but honestly emphasize where they are right, compliment them, and start with your areas of agreement. Want to be a leader? Ecourage people, praise them, listen to them, ask them questions. Of course, the examples in this book require us to apply honesty and common sense, and if so, this book is quite helpful. Sadly, too many of us fail to heed the advice in these pages. We can all do better, and this book can help us do so.

As a former resident of California, I was often shocked on how the locals treated the Mexicans. After working all day, some were paid virtually nothing, and some were actually paid nothing. And because they couldn't complain to the government they were just "out of luck." This book addresses that very issue, if only dealing with the white "oakies." The point of this novel makes about migrant workers is just as valid today as it was 80 whatever years ago.
Steinbecks writing is occasionally criticized, but I cannot figure out why. Steinbeck takes a quasi-journalistic approach to his writing, flawlessly fusing fiction and reporting throughout the writing. This is a book that is simultaneously interesting and informative. Its like a newspaper thats also entertaining. The writing is very fluid, and despite the novels length (my edition was over 600 pgs) its actually not a boring, slow read. The characters are well developed and interesting, if in some cases a tad unbelievable.
A great novel. The only people that probably object are middle and upper class conservatives that can't accept that anyone should be able to speak out against those less fortunate than themselves

One of the greatest American novels written. Period. I read it about three years ago and whenever I see this book in stores the feelings and images I had while reading Grapes come flooding back to me. Read this book! You may, like me, be slightly disappointed with the ending, but you will not be disappointed that you took the time to read Grapes of Wrath.

Wonderfully written...powerfully gripping...100% the best of Steinbeck. I have only recently started reading the "classics" and this was the best by far. After finishing "The Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice and Men" and now reading "East of Eden," I have to say that Steinbeck is arguably the best American lit writer ever published.

I read Grapes of Wrath in my late teens, and just didn't get what all of the fanfare was about. I liked the characters, but I didn't fully appreciate what Steinbeck was trying to do.

Flash forward a few decades -- I picked it up again a couple of weeks ago, and read it in two sittings. I was completely captivated. Not only did the Joads come to life, but their circumstances, their defeats and their successes, resonated with realism. Rather than being relegated to the dusty "classics" shelf, this book is more relevant today. One can easily replace the Joads with immigrant farm workers in our current society, and get a glimpse of exactly how things don't change. Steinbeck nailed human frailty and bigotry, as well as the largess of the human spirit.

Read this book. Even if you walk away thinking, "What a bunch of lefty crud!" it will be worth your while. The story is heart-warming (and sometimes heartrending), and very real.

Lin Bentolila, a dear friend, gave me this book for my birthday 08 and I finally finished it and also saw the DVD movie version. Both gave me a rare view into a time in America that I knew little about. Published in 1939, the Grapes of Wrath is about the brutal and sad time people had to live... shall we say struggle through... and for the lucky some... survive during those days.

I learned that back then people entered into agricultural agreements where they did not own the land but were allowed by the owners to use the land in return for a share of the crop produced, and as times got really bad because of the lack of water, the "dust" storms and the inability to produce, they could no longer afford to pay the agreed share and were therefore, run from their land... even though they had worked it for over 70 years seeing many family generations come and go on the land which they called home...

How incredibly sad... simply horrible... The story centers on a family with the last name of Joads and it is so hopeless at times that I felt the pain and sorrow of these characters daring to hope for a better life.

Desperate times, children left without food and without care because parents earned miserable wages and had to go to find whatever work was available. Labor contracts were not respected, conditions were oppressive, and the spark of an attempt to correct the situation was seen as a crime and punished as such.

The emotions are deep and while the family undergoes many trials and desperate moments, they continue to have pride, human dignity, and the willingness to share whatever little they had. The road trip that takes them from their home in Oklahoma to California is at times exasperating because we suffer right along with these characters. The scenes at a road side diner where they buy bread... only able to pay for a 10 cent loaf is heart rendering and it is with a certain sense of trepidation that we realize that times in America today are again desperate for many. Never learning the great lessons from the past, we seem to repeat history over and over again, and between the housing market fiasco, the home foreclosures and the price of gas, let's hope we do not see Americans brought to another period of depression.

This is a must read and must see, while it is depressive, at times shocking, it poses fundamental questions of humanity. How can we live our lives in peace witnessing those who have so much and yet others not being able to eat? How do we ensure that our social systems protect our people from ever having to endure such harsh living conditions? At what point do we stop being human if we stand by and do nothing to change and bring opportunity and the right to work and earn a living to every person willing to work to make a living?

I somehow tragically managed to make my way to adulthood with never reading anything but the kiddie version of this book. When I found this book for super-cheap in the teachers' lounge book sale and I figured "hey, why not?" And thus I picked it up and immediately fell in love with the sheer Old-South charm that only Twain can deliver. Really, people, it is no wonder that this book is such a classic! It may not have the soulful human reflections of "Huckleberry Finn", but in the solemn concern for the pleasures of boyhood it certainly makes its own mark.

Mark Twain tells the story purely from a storyteller's view. No deep analysis of character that takes you right inside of Tom Sawyer's psyche, nothing blatantly philosophical. It is as if Mr. Twain lives to simply tells us into what trouble Tom is getting. He does not go out of his way to give lengthy, dull descriptions or even fully flesh out the details of just what Tom and his friends are doing. It gives it a charming, folksy style that allows for plenty of plot and action. Even, so the writing is unparalleled.

And it truly is a great story. It's fun! I don't know how many poor students have been tricked into believing it is not. It has all the great elements of a good boy story, what with the murders and buried treasure and faked deaths and hoodoo--not to mention the delight taken away by discovery of bacteria.

I'm also a huge fan of this Whole Story edition. It's beautiful, easy to carry around, and I guess I'm a sucker for the documentary feature.

Fantastic, fun story. Everyone should read it.

These audio books help children that are having trouble with the written word. I also use them in the car, so each trip we hear more of the story. The kids love them and I think it makes them interested in reading.

To understand America in the nineteenth century, you must understand Tom Sawyer. His life, so full of adventure set amidst the bustle of a changing nation, is in many ways the dream of nearly all male children. To spend your time swimming in the creek, gathering "treasures" and eating goodies is truly the good life. Tom's romance with Becky is also the way it is with most boys. Girls are universally considered to have some kind of contagious disease, when I was young, they had cooties, until you see that one perfect girl that you will share everything with.
The wonder and mischief of Tom and Huck are captured in this book, superbly illustrated by Michael Ploog. Tom is wide-eyed, freckled and has bulbous cheeks. Huck has a pointed nose, bright eyes and a suitably scruffy demeanor. With the exception of Sundays, the boy's clothes consist of a series of patches sewn over rags. This book is an excellent introduction to what is the tale of American youth of the nineteenth century, very appropriate for classes in English. Of course, after covering this book, the students should be required to read the original.

This book is a great example of what makes Twain one of America's most belvoed writers. Twain's unique sense of humor and his keen insights into human nature shine through in this book. Twain's style is wonderful, the characters are dynamic and the plot never hits a snag. Twain has created a novel here that is light enough on the surface to entertain young readers yet contatins enough substance to speak volumes to an adult audience. You are sure to love this one is you have read any of Twain's other works. If you haven't read Twain, delay no further--this book is the perfect starting point.

Ever since my dad first read this timeless classic to my sister & me as kids, while camping in our trailer during the summer, it has left its indelible impression upon my imagination. How I too wanted to shove off from shore on my "skiff" and have my own adventures down the Mississippi! I know of no other book that so wonderfully captures the essence and joy of carefree boyhood.

When I say "carefree", however, I am not forgetting the grim and serious elements of the novel. But these work just as well as the sunnier and funnier parts. In fact, just when the narrative needs it, a murder comes along which boosts the plot most effectively, giving it a shot in the arm. And speaking of the darker aspects, does not Injun Joe have to rank highly on the list of greatest villains in the history of literature? I can assure you that as a boy listening to the cave chapters, his menace was palpable and unforgettable.

Unfortunately, literary snobs have often found it fashionable to belittle Tom Sawyer as inconsequential and a 'lightweight' seen against the towering greatness of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". I couldn't disagree more. (I love Huckleberry Finn dearly and plan to review it soon as well). I read a quote in a foreword that I thought was very insightful: "Huckleberry Finn is a greater book, but not a better one." I think this is exactly so. Extol the greatness of HF by all means, but don't make the mistake of downgrading Twain's other masterpiece, just because its theme is not so weighty and grave. In fact, the episodic nature of the telling of Tom Sawyer fit Twain's particular brand of genius perfectly (whereas there were some sub par stretches in Huck Finn).

Loved it as a boy, love it no less as a man. Thank you, dad, for imparting such an enduring gift.

Philbrick is a good writer. Sometimes I felt pulled between the history of Nantucket, an inside look into whaling and the story of the Essex. Each is interesting and deserves its own book. The story of the Essex is incredibly powerful, and I feel that Philbrick treated the terrible survival struggles of the crew at an arm's length. The details were there, just not the emotion. He came close, but this story - with the struggle, errors of judgment, tragedy and cannibalism, had the potential to stand with the classic tales of Bly or Shackleton, but this telling didn't quite deliver.

If you are considering changing carrers to become a nineteenth century whaler, you might want to read this book about whaling, tragedy. cannibalism, and survivial. It has it all. Philbrick has done an excellent job telling the story of the doomed whaler, Essex. It's story is supposedly what Melville based Moby Dick on. It is a page turner. The author brings into the story other old and new survival tales and does a great job keeping the reader involved. The good news is that it is a great book. The bad news is that you might want to reconsider any plans you might be entertaining to buy a harpoon and become a whaler.

Nathaniel Philbrick's history of the whaleship Essex builds on First mate Owen Chase's account of the tragedy; he adds the perspective of cabin boy Thomas Nickerson, written over 50 years after the actual events. Few sources are available, and scholarship-wise, this story is only beginning to be told. To contradict the author's statement, this is an amazing adventure story, made more astounding because its true. Philbrick also includes plenty of background to aid in comprehension by modern readers with no prior knowledge of whaling, especially the eccentricities of early 19th century Nantucket. This author seems well-qualified in this regard. This book is an informative and entertaining blend of the tragedy of the Essex, background, possible motivating factors, and subsequent developments.

It is a curious footnote to history that this story was well-known during the 19th century but almost forgotten today, much like the history of the whaling industry and sea voyages in general. No embellishment nor hindsight moralizing is necessary, nor does Philbrick force any. He is a tactful author, and the facts as much as we know them are more than enough to provide a thrilling tale. This is the way that history should be written; its an absorbing read, framed in the context of historical development. It is neither too difficult for a novice, nor too elementary for the well-versed.

A great story! So many things about the whaling industry and Nantucket that I didn't know about made this book all the more enjoyable. Some of the scenes described after the shipwreck made my skin crawl and I wonder...what would any of us do if in a similar situation?

The detail of this book is wonderful. I started off reading this with little sympathy for the Quakers, by the end of the book my feelings had changed a little bit. Good information about all aspects, Quaker life on the island, the business of whaling, and what happens to the human body and soul under such extreme conditions.

Shopaholic (Becky) is now pregnant, nothing has change really, she is still overindulging and on this last book, she seems more stupid than ever!! dont get me wrong, i love the shopaholic series, but how much more can she buy?

IT'S EASY TO SEE HOW THIS FUN READ MADE IT TO THE TOP OF THE NY TIMES BEST SELLER LIST!! THE BOOK WAS ALSO CHOSEN BY AARP MAGAZINE. THIS BOOK WOULD EVEN BE A GREAT GIFT FOR THE PERSON WHO DOES YOUR EYEBROWS! I LAUGHED ALOUD OFTEN! I ENJOYED THIS READ SO MUCH, THAT I'VE ALSO READ MANY OTHER OF MS. KINSELLA'S BOOKS AND SHARED THEM WITH FAMILY AND GIRLFRIENDS!

Each time I finish another book in the amusing "Shopaholic" series, I'm pretty sure Kinsella has taken these characters as far as they can go. And then there's another adorable episode and I'm enchanted anew. Yes, Becky is materialistic -- but she's so good-hearted and besides, her passion for shopping has resulted in a career and made her something of a marketing savant. She loves Luke and her parents and her friends and is excited about motherhood. She's a Brit Lucy Riccardo for the new millennium. My only complaint about this book regards Dr. Carter. A bit too easy an obvious a villain, Dr. Carter's behavior seems just too ... dangerously wacky. Even in the crazy world of Becky Bloomwood!

I could not put the book down! I stayed up until 1:00 am to finish it. I absolutely loved it. I found myself hysterically laughing at so many parts in the book (Becky's mum and Janice talking about what labor was really like & the names Becky told Elinor they were considering.... so funny!). The story brought so many memories back of my own first pregnancy and the fears I felt about labor and being someone's mother. Also, that first time you see that little baby and the feeling that comes over you - Sophie Kinsella hit it on the head! Then there was the serious parts too when Becky thought she had lost Luke (and I don't blame her for feeling that way either). All around, it was just a FABULOUS book! I know Sophie Kinsella has said she will bring Becky & Luke back, I really hope this is true (she just HAS to - too much is left unfinished)and that she does it sooner rather than later (that's for my own selfish reasons - LOL). In fact, I hope she brings them back in several more books (for those who think the story is over, you don't have to buy them - there are plenty of us who will GLADLY keep on reading them).

I have directed my dear sister to never, ever use me again as guinea pig should she want a "guy's reaction" to a book. I can only hope that this expression of so-called chick-lit is not the standard by which most women are entertained. Ms. Kinsella has, as we say in pre-school sandlots, a bit of a potty-mouth, and has transformed this into a genre that I title as "Wants to be cute so she swears." OK, we get that you know all the FCC-forbidden words. We get that your characters think endlessly about consummation of, well, just about any enounter they encounter. My recommendation for Ms. Kinsella's penalty is that she must stay on a desert island for one full month (one of the longer months, like March), and then read and read Bronte and Austen (not re-read, as I am sure that writers like Ms. Kinsella have never read Bronte or Austen), and learn from them how to use prose to transform the reader. I even have a new crime of which I now accuse Ms. Kinsella: Prose Abuse.

I'm not a major fan of motivational books as many seem to be too preachy or give you the same message you could find in 50 other books. The Ultimate Gift is a touching story without the preaching. I read this book in the matter of 2 hours and was not disappointed.

As the story progressed, you know that in the end there is a life lesson and the main character goes through a profound change. But I found myself wanting to know the next gift and the next until the ultimate gift.

I didn't walk away feeling like my life completely changed by reading this book. But after reading the chapters on the Gift of Gratitude and the Gift of Giving, it did inspire me to make some changes in my daily life.

The book, The Ultimate Gift, is a must read for all ages. This book inspires us to continue living our lives and discovering great things in store for us.

I, too, have watched the movie. Some settings have been changed to suffice with the almost 2-hour movie run. Nevertheless, the thought that was inside the book were just similar that you can easily associate some of the real things that are happening.

Either reading the book or watching the movie will provide the wisdom even the contented man on earth could ever have.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read. This book teaches others that life isnt all about what I can get from you. This book teaches Happiness comes from Helping others . That is pure satisfaction in life. I recommend this book to all genders and ages.
Wanda Jennings

This is an uncompicated simply written book with an unbelievable depth. It is not very long but it is packaged very nice. Predominately for a younger person. It would make a fantastic graduation gift. Bernice Knouse

Things I learned from reading "The Ultimate Gift":

BE NICE TO PEOPLE. I didn't know that!
GIVING IS BETTER THAN RECEIVING. I didn't know that!
LOVE IS GOOD. I didn't know that!

But the most important thing I learned from reading TUG?

That you can become a self-made billionaire AND THEN raise a family of spoiled and lazy children who turned out that way because you, yourself, readily admit that you provided woeful and improper parenting AND THEN - to prove that very point - publicly berate and verbally abuse your offspring from beyond the grave AND THEN dedicate an enormous amount of time and money producing a videotape and coupling it with 12 months of "Survivor"-like challenges instead of - while you were alive! - actually spending quality time with and showering love onto your great-nephew AND THEN, after all this, you are considered a "great" and "wise" and "loving" man.

Goodness gracious, people, this isn't a book - it's a sermon! And not a very good (or well written) sermon at that.

Sheer hypocrisy.