V Books

The Great Brain is one of the best all time books for boys ever written. In my humble opinion of course. The prose is engaging capturing the attention. The stories are exciting and compelling. The chapters are just the right length. And it has all the elements that young boys love from Cowboys and Indians to cops and robbers. What more could you ask for?

But of course, looking back on my childhood as I place this book on the shelf for my own little boy, I realize that the moral lessons this book taught so covertly were lessons that stayed with me: tolerance for other cultures and religions, compassion for those less fortunate, love of family. These are foundational values and the Great Brain teaches them. And the thing is, as a young person, you don't realize you're getting a lesson, you just know you like the story.

In the book The Great Brain written by John D. Fitzgerld was awesome! The book takes place in Adenville, Utah. There are some main characters this book, Tom (T.D) who is known as the great brain, Swyen (S, D) who is the eldest and acts mature, John (J, D) who is the youngest and is always up to something, Abie who is a store owner, and Mr. Standish who is the new school house teacher who everyone hates. Tom, John, and Swyen's father ordered a water closet, which is a bathroom, and they let people see it if they paid one cent. They made forty cents total. When Swyen got the measles, John was jells because he had never gotten sick first and then got to rub it in his brothers face. So one day John decided he wanted to get sick. John went over to his friend Howard who has had the mumps. So he decided to sneak into his house and started breathing in Howard's sick breath, and what do you know, John got sick. Abie had fainted once, twice, Abie died from malnutrition. They had a funeral for him that very day. Mr. Standish was the new school house teacher. Mr. Standish had paddled Tom for not being a tattletale, and Tom swore he would get back to Mr. Standish. So anways Swyen had gone to a Cathloic school in Salt Lake City so Swyen was gone and it was now just Tom and John. Andy their friend had stepped on a rusty nail and had not been able to return back to school. He ended up getting a prosthetic leg.

I learned that you should not lie for any purpose. Like when Tom found a way to get rid of Mr. Standish and when Tom's father asked if he had known anything to know about it and Tom never spoke a word intill his mamma made him tell. I also learned in this book that helping people is good. Like when Tom helped Basil get out of a fight, or when Tom helped Andy play baseball.

I recommend this book to someone who likes smart kids and funny stories. Like the time John wanted to get sick and he got the mumps. Why I think that the book is funny because it is all about fun and making life worth living.

The is a wonderfully, great, terrific book! They need to re-release the Great Brain movie from 1978 starring little Jimmy Osmond! Also, if I may suggest, try reading the Adventures With Boys book series-- Just as good!!!;)

I poured through these books continuously in my youth. I would beg for a trip to the library so I could find just one more I hadn't read.

I had all but forgotten about them until my oldest showed a keenness for reading. Now I'm ordering them for her for Christmas. I hope she gleans as much joy as I did from them! I used to love to pretend that Papa was handing out his sage advice directly to me.

This is such a wonderfully written series for young readers. You really can't go wrong with them, and hopefully my daughter will review this for you some time after Christmas!

This book is a wonderful protrait of 19th century rural America, but people should be aware that it was written at a time when there was much more freedom of speech than we have today. Topics in the book include suicide, religious intolerance and fear of immigrants. There is a scene where the boys go skinny dipping and also one story concerns John mating his dog, so this book probably should not be brought to a public elementary school for fear it might offend someone. Also there are no African-Americans in the book, and while the book does portray Jews, Moromons, Protestants and Catholics coexisting, there are no Muslims in this book, so it is not very politically correct. Also the "I" word is used casually and no mention is made of the plight of native Americans, except to say that they are the only non-immigrants in America. Women are displayed in subservient roles, always cooking, cleaning and taking care of the sick, although all the boys are portrayed as having chores. [...]

It cost me about $200 to fill my raised bed with the planting mix recommended. It was a complete waste of money, as the water runs right out of the mix. It is far too light. He's right, you cannot overwater, but it also does not hold the water. In areas where water costs money or is scarce, this soil mix is a very bad idea.

This book is very helpful to learn a new way of gardening for higer yields in small areas. It has very helpful advice and good graphics to follow. It is easy to read and understand.

I guess I was looking for the quick answer version. Here's your square, now plant this....Not a book for the average gardener. Unless, of course, you are a botonist.

Have bought several Square Foot Gardening books since they are used so much. Now the second and third generation are reading it in our family. Full of clear, simple solutions and ideas which makes gardening easy and profitable.

I liked the idea of a well-planned garden and this book had it all. I set my 10X15 foot garden up according to the illustrations and made tomato trellises using metal posts and wire. I have to say that by the end of the season there was a lot of die-off from fungus. Frankly, 1 foot square is not enough room for the average tomato plant, even on its nifty trellis. My melons and zucchini caught the fungus, too. I'd recommend using this book as a guide and spacing the plants further apart. It did keep everything neat and easier to weed. Overall good system.

Illustrates animals going to bed! I love books that show everyone is going to sleep!

What a wonderful story! The rhyming text is a pleasure to read, and the book progresses from day to night, making it a perfect bedtime story. I've read it so many times to my five year old twins that we now know it by heart. Get it!!!

My son loves to read books, but this one does not keep his attention. He likes Goodnight Moon, the Boyton Books, and others, but this doesn't keep his interest. I do like that it shows various animals and their noises.

This is one of my favorite books to read to my son. The prose is beautiful, concise, and profound. It's a very subtle book and takes some quiet time to truly appreciate it. The Big Red Barn is a picture of utopia; animals coexisting in peace, playing throughout the day, and then resting at night.

I was given this book as a gift just after my son was born. He is now coming up to three months and this is a book I just love to read to him. I am an animal lover myself and so I like the fact it is based around animals. I think the pictures are great and he is already taking a good look at them. The next step for me will be taking him to see the animals in person but until that happens we will live on the farm through this book. I have found it very pleasant to read as it has a basic rhythm to it, which means I don't mind repeating it which I am sure will help him with his development. I would recommend this book to many!!

When Aidan Thomas and his family have to move halfway across the country to care for his aging grandfather, the disgruntled teenager knows that life will never be the same. What he doesn't know is exactly how different life will be. The discovery in the basement of mysterious scrolls with a fascinating but unfinished story leads Aidan to seek the Door Within and travel to a world of noble knights and fair maidens. In The Realm, he learns more of the story found in the scrolls and faces the choice that will define his life forever--follow King Eliam or Paragor the Usurper.

Some of the characters are rather broadly drawn so that they seem rather exaggerated and thus unrealistic, but they are delightful nonetheless. Captain Valithor, Sentinel of Alleble, employs hilarious adjectives as he urges those in his charge to work harder. One fun thing about the characthers is the way their build and temperaments tend to mirror their weapons. Archer brothers Nock and Bolt are slight and quick, while hammer-wielding Mallik is built like a rock.

In this adventurous tale full of truth and treachery, rambunctious and hilarious characters, Aidan learns what it means to never be alone. Though written for Junior High and early High Schoolers, the story contains enough depth to satisfy an older reader while remaining simple enough for children many years younger. "The Door Within" is sure to delight any reader of adventure and fantasy.

Mr. Batson takes quite a risk in this, his first novel -- he makes the hero unlikable for a considerable length of time. Aidan Thomas is very angry about moving to Colorado. He is angry at his parents for making him move and thus leave behind his one true friend, he is angry at his wheelchair-bound grandfather (Grampin) for making it necessary, and he is angry at the world in general because bad things happen. Now, he has his reasons and Mr. Batson is making an important point, but still even those of us who are similarly scarred (my family moved FIVE times during my childhood) will soon grow weary of his incessant whining and raging. It doesn't help that there isn't another likable character in the book for quite awhile. Aidan's parents are clueless and insensitive, and Grampin spends several chapters saying nothing or sleeping. All in all a very tough slog!

Nevertheless, with the premise in mind we know that things are going to change eventually. The Other begins to ooze into Aidan's world and (mercifully) begins to distract him from his own troubles. Then in chapter 7 Grampin surprises both Aidan and the reader, and at the end of chapter 8 Aidan FINALLY crosses over. Then it takes two MORE chapters of Aidan wandering around lost before the adventure truly begins in chapter 11! However, at THAT point, 79 pages in, things begin to move in that relentless "Batson pace" that readers of Isle of Swords and Isle of Fire are well familiar with, and what follows makes up for what Mr. Batson has put the reader through in the first ten chapters,...

well, for MOST of what he has put the reader through anyway.

Mr. Batson has created a fascinating world in the Realm, with similarities to but not quite like any other fantasy world I've ever seen, with Biblical references that are quite obvious to those who are looking for them but no stumbling block to those who are not. I bought this book at the same time as Isle of Swords as part of a promotional deal, but I never got around to reading it. Now I shall have to rush out and read the sequels: The Rise of the Wyrm Lord and The Final Storm.

Note: Other than a lower price the chief attraction of the paperback edition is the inclusion of the so-called "Lost Chapters", basically earlier draft versions of the first four chapters accompanied by author's commentary. They make for an interesting comparison. On the one hand the current shortened beginning is excruciating enough; on the other hand this longer opening humanizes several of the characters, making them less annoying! If you loved the hardback, you might love this additional material, too, but if you are purchasing your first copy, you night as well stick to the paperback.

This fantasy tale is amazing. I loved reading about Aidan's adventures in The Realm. The characters are realistic and the plot line creative. Instead of just swords, it's more of a spiritual battle for the hearts of people

This book was a great book. Anyone who likes fantasy would like The Door Within. Its a great start to the trilogy.

For a first in a series, and first book ever from an author, this is pretty good. It has some little flaws here and there, but overall, The Door Within delivers fun fantasy with a great message. If you're a fan of Brian Jacques' Redwall novels, try these, Wayne Thomas Batson has a similar writing style.

Although I own a number of BBQ Recipe Books; Weber's "Real Grilling" has
such a great variety of BBQ recipes, accompanied by 200 color photos of
the final reults. For anyone interesting in expanding their BBQ horizons; this IS the book!

this cookbook is great. my guest always compliment the food i make from it and it is very easy to follow. I bought 1 for myself and now have bought this one as a gift. both from amazon at about 1/2 price.

My wife told me that my grilling got 100 times better after I started using this book.

It has great recepies in it, but it also has some great tips on how to properly grill different foods that helped me the most.

This is a fantastic addition to any new griller(like myself), or even a seasoned griller who wants to add something different to their line up.

(P.S. - I recommend the Honey Mustard Chicken, makes a great change to plain old chicken.)

We love this cookbook. We have tried at leat 15 recipes and have been pleasantly surprised by all. We have never had such a wonderful and reliable cookbook.

Great book which weighs too much because the publisher chose very expensive HEAVY paper which makes it hard to hold and the pages must be forced down to read the recipe. Better done with a spiral binder and lighter weight paper.

Hill Harper has given us a rare gem. This book should be "required" reading for all young men. I gave it as gifts to my nephew and my cousin. I also encouraged a co-worker to read it and she's preparing to give it to her son and other young men. It's an "easy read". The letters and advice given are poignant, timely, educational and insightful. Down to earth, excellent advice for growing up and everyday living. I especially enjoyed the chapter on the importance of school/education. And the emphasis on being "incredibly happy". Hill is a gifted man with a heart and soul for service. I look forward to his future writings.

I thoroughly enjoyed Letters to a Young Brother and will be passing it along! So many of Hill's theories can be applied to everyone's daily movement. Great Job!

That one of favorite ACTORS, was not only a Brown and Harvard graduate but an awesome writer as well. After reading such high reviews on here I decided to order the book. I have 2 boys, 9 and 7, that aren't quite to the age level of this book, but they well definately be reading it as they approach their tween years. After reading it there is advise and pearls of wisdom that should be applied to adulthood, male or female. I love the fact that he talks on a level that is very relatable to young boys and that he gathers insite from known entertainers, which imo draws the youth in that much more. As many are raised by the TV, movies, and mush so something that their favorite actor/actress (Anthony Anderson, Ray J Gabreille Union, Sanaa Lathan) sports figure (Venus Williams, Curtis Martin), or rapper (Nas, David Banner, Ice Cube) says may come across as cool and strike accord with them. Presidential nominee Barak Obama even contributes. I just ordered Letters To a Young Sister, DeFINE Your Destiny, cant wait to start reading it.

I brought this book as a gift for my twentysomthing brother. Who is a not an avid reader, but he enjoyed this book.

Hill's book truly gives you words to live by. Realism, faith and hope in the future are the key themes of this book. As a reader, you are looking into the world of a young person trying and seeking to find his path. Gladly, Hill picks up the baton that was thrown to him by his mentors of the past and follows through by showing this youth a new way of thinking and living. His advice is so pure and genuine that it crosses the boundaries of gender and race--this is something that all folks need to hear! This book is the ultimate self help guide for those who have lost their way, need to find their way or need an affirmation that they are well on their way. Harper's words are definitely needed and should be cherished.

Preach on Brother Harper! Preach on!

After visiting most of the places in this book last year, I wanted to read this book to find out the experiences of those who fought in this battle. It was a great book, especially if you are a WWII buff like me.

The military interviews were lame. An important part of history, would have liked more intel detail and military strategy.

A great deal of ink and celluloid has been used to describe the Allied invasion of Fortress Europe on Tuesday June 6, 1944. This book remains and no doubt always will be one of the best accounts of what happened that day. It captures the heroism of the common soldiers on both sides. While some of the men collapsed under the pressure, most exhibited great bravery as they fought for what they were told to fight for. One of the best features of this book is that Ryan depicts the German soldiers as fighting soldiers; he very rarely mentions the concept of Nazism or the origins of the war.
There is also very little mention of the clash of egos on the Allied side, although he spends a great deal of time describing the personality conflicts on the German side. I do not fault him for this, for it was these conflicts that kept the German mobile reinforcements from entering the fight on the beaches when they could have made a difference.
D-Day was not the greatest battle of World War II, greater ones took place on the Eastern front between Germany and the Soviet Union. However, it was the most complex in execution and was necessary from the Allied point of view. Given the tremendous power of the Soviet offensive in the east and the blockade of supplies, Germany would eventually have been defeated. However, if the D-Day invasion had been repulsed, the Soviet armies would have overrun all of Germany and possibly even much of France. As a consequence of this, the post-war world would have been very different. From this perspective it was one of the most significant as it put allied armies on a course through Germany. You cannot understand history without knowing about D-Day.

Read this book first when I was 15 years old and it motivated me to learn more about history of the second world war. It's one of the great books on world war II and D-Day and it is highly recommended!

Cornelius Ryan invented two genres with his ground-breaking history-The Longest Day.
On the one hand, he started a trend to personalized history. His book relies heavily on the recollections of those who fought on both sides. In this he anticipates Ken Burns' The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick and also The Second World War the more scholarly John Keegan.
His other innovation, a brisk style of story-telling that hops from the personal to the technical to the strategic has won the day in the fiction of war. Tom Clancy Red Storm Risingis one of his legatees.
Aside from considerations of this book's considerable influence, this is one absorbing read. The personal sense that comes from Ryan's extensive interviews with veterans comes through on the page and the effect is extremely involving, even hypnotic.
The prose style, which seems a little overwrought today, was borrowed heavily from Henry Salomon's TV series Victory at Sea - The Legendary World War II Documentary (History Channel).In 1959, it seemed lke the best-maybe the only way-to discuss events whose importance was becoming more evident as they receded.
This edition lacks maps-except for one that doesn't even include Normandy, and there's no way to tell the strategic part of the story without them. There are also the same typos that existed in the first edition.

None the less, an exciting book and a great introduction to the power of personal history.

Lynn Hoffman, author of bang BANG: A Novel and the pioneering New Short Course in Wine,The

There are things that I didn't expect, that surprised me a little bit about his character, but if anything, seeing Anthony come through all of these situations only upped my respect for him as an actor, as a writer, and as a person.

This book really moved me with Rapp's emotional honesty, and I echo the praises from previous reviewers. I rate it as 4 stars because, like a previous reviewer suggested, I feel it tended to drag a bit at the end and could have ended a chapter earlier. I strongly suggest the audio recording, especially for fans of Rent and of Anthony. Hearing him read the story himself (particularly for the small and poignant personal moments, like the frequent "Hi, Mama"--"Hi, Tonio" exchanges with his mother--it broke my heart every time) was an intimate and powerful experience, and when I finished I felt I had just had a long and passionate conversation with a friend--which i was very sorry to end.

Anthony Rapp tells an emotional story about personal life, love, and loss as he describes the years surrounding the phenomenon that is Rent. This is a book no Renthead should be without. Afer reading this book, I feel like I have gotten to know Anthony as a person, and gotten a rare glimpse through Anthony's eyes of the man that was Jonathan Larson.

Anthony Rapp was in on the creation of the masterpiece which became the Broadway sensation "Rent," almost from the beginning. He has written his memoir of that experience with great sensitivity and insight.

This book is a riveting tale about the creative process, how a play goes through its evolution to get to Broadway, and how every once in awhile a theatrical miracle can happen which changes everyone's lives. "Rent" is such a miracle. I just saw the play once again on Broadway this past weekend. I took my teenaged daughters to see it. After eleven years, it is finally closing down some time this year. If you cannot get to New York to see the play, rent the movie. It's not as good, but almost.

I loved this book, and recommend it to anyone who has ever overcome adversity to pursue a dream.

This book is amazing. It's a great read, easy to follow and really hits at your heart. I would reccommend it to everyone.

Wow. Not your typical good guys come to a new planet, good guys save the planet, good guys leave the planet and everyone lives happily ever after. I just loved the ending ,wasn't expecting that!
Now I can't wait to start book no.6!

This entire series is a great children's series. Even though I'm an adult, I still love these books. Set before Episode I, they follow Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn through their early years together as master and apprentice. If you like Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, or the master/apprentice relationship in general, you'll love these books.

Obi-Wan is on Melida/Dan. A planet steeped with violence for as long as anyone can remeber.Jedi should not take sides Qui-gon tells Obi-Wan but he ends up taking sides with a group named the Young who are fighting against there parent to stop the war. Debate rages between Obi-wan and Qui-gon and ..... well you will see what heppens.It includes Obi-Wan getting kicked out of the Jedi Order and staying to help the Young read the next books to see if Qui-gon will except Obi-wan as his apprentice again. I [16] found this to be a great book when i was younger and still do! now that iv finished the NJO series the clone wars series and the Jedi Apprentice series i cant wait for a new one . You will love this book guarenteed.If you dont well i cant give you your money back..... but you would have to be insane not to like it.

Another truly great story from Jude Watson. These books bridge the gap left vacant before Episode 1.
Jude watson has a great gift for fleshing out all the characters we've come to know on a much deeper level.
This particular series gives us the early adventures of Obi-Wan and Quinn -Jon and shows us the development of the two as the later indepent thinking Jedi they become.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan go to Melida/Daan to rescue Tahl, the Jedi peacekeeper who went there. She was gravely wounded and captured by the Melida, and so Yoda dispatches more Jedi to rescue her.
Young Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Jedi apprentice, he's not supposed to become emotionally involved in a conflict. But when he meets Cerasi and Nield, the young and charismatic leaders of the Young on the planet of Melida/Daan, he is immediately swept up in their just cause. The Elders of the planet are nothing more than defenders of the dead, willing to sacrifice whole generations to get back at each other for past battles. No one remembers the original grievances, just that the Melida are evil or the Daan are evil, depending on who they are. The only ones striving for peace are the Young. They're proud to announce that they're everyone, both Melida and Daan children who want to rebuild their war-torn planet.
The Young help rescue Tahl, but they need the Jedi's help. Though forbidden to do so, Obi-Wan's heart tells him he must help the young save their planet.

Do yourself a favor, BUY THIS BOOK !! This is one of those books you will buy extra copies of for your friends. It is a no-nonsense wake up call that empowers the reader to not only understand the concepts that will allow them to live their best life, but it also demonstrates how those skills play out in reality. You will not be disappointed !!
There is great value in using this book to establish a strong foundation in young women as well as reminding those of us who have been around the block once or twice how phenominal we truly are.

Do you have your sights on that corner office? Plan to start your own business soon? But you have doubts because you're a woman, and you feel men have a better chance than you do? Saundra Pelletier believes in you, and she wants to show you how to succeed in Saddle Up Your Own White Horse.

This book presents five principles every woman needs to know. First, deliberate creators make their dreams happen. Don't be a victim or a flatliner - learn how to create your own best outcomes. Second, women possess two unique gifts - multitasking and intuition. Learn how to use both to your own advantage. Third, women must lead in their relationships with men - but don't ever tell them that! Fourth, no woman is an island. You'll need to build your own cavalry of support. And fifth, women must master the three C's - confidence, credit, and comfort with success.

Finally, once you've learned these five important principles, the author reminds us to never confuse motion with action. Sometimes being busy hides the fact we're not really moving in the direction of our biggest goals.

While the author clearly got her message across to women who are determined to climb the corporate ladder, she left out one segment of the female population. Some women feel most successful in having a happy family life and raising children. It would have been nice to see some examples of successful moms using these principles, along with entrepreneurs and CEOs.

Saundra Pelletier was fortunate to have a mother who never let her settle for mediocrity, and always told her she could do what she set her heart on. If you have grand dreams and goals, but you haven't quite figured out how to create them in your life, this book will be the pep talk you need to get you started. Well-written and inspiring, Saddle Up Your Own White Horse will motivate you to take charge of your own life.

Reviewer: Alice Berger, Bergers Book Reviews

This one is worth reading. I also don't usually focus on women's issues since I work mostly with men and like it. I had the good fortune to hear Saundra speak at a business event and followed up by reading her book. My three favorite mantras from the book are, "Someone has to be first, why shouldn't it be me?", "Prosperity is yours for the taking", and "Don't confuse motion with action." If you ever have the chance to hear Saundra Pelletier speak in person DO NOT MISS IT!!!

"In "Saddle Up Your Own White Horse", Saundra Pelletier provides a magical gift of helping other women be in their own power. Saundra provides practical tools to help women live a positive, enriched and empowered life. Reading this book will shift your life from mediocrity to living a life beyond your wildest dreams."
Marcy Morrison, Careers with Wings ([...])
Author of upcoming book "Finding Your Dream:
The Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Career Success" to released early 2009 with Morgan James Publishing

Everyone wants someone to show up and solve all their problems. "Saddle Up Your Own White Horse: 5 Principles Every Woman Needs to Know" is here to fill women in on the harsh reality that is the fact - that just isn't going to happen. Telling women to get up and take control of their lives to create happiness in themselves and stay that way even when things are bad by taking advantages of one's own strengths, it's the encouragement many women need. "Saddle Up Your Own White Horse" encourages a bit of healthy selfishness that will assist many in having a better outlook for their future.