Ohio Books

I am more familiar with the work of James M. Cain via the movies as the basis of such films as The Postman Always Rings Twice and one of the works under review here Double Indemnity. For classic noir films I like to read the works they are based on to see how true they are to the literary efforts. Thus, I picked up this book for Double Indemnity but along the way I got into the other two. The common theme here is the role of women in bringing a man down (or building him up, if that seems appropriate to her designs). You know the old Adam and Eve tale in the modern setting. If Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, Cain's near contemporaries, had the hard-boiled, no nonsense detective down Cain has the bewitching femme fatale and `gullible' smitten guy down in the same way. This little three story volume, moreover, has the virtue of an introduction by Cain himself where he essentially dismisses out of hand positive critical comments about the hard-boiled outlook on the world expressed in his work, his commanding sense of language and his deft craftsmanship with the twists and turns of a story. Ya, right.


Cain identifies Career in C Major as the story that he liked the best of the three presented here and the one that would hold up over time. I did not get that feeling mainly because the story line gets a little too bogged down by the narrator's efforts to become a male opera singer. The tension between his gratitude (if you can call it that) to his operatic paramour/muse and his catty, headstrong and over demanding wife (who also had musical ambitions) is what drives this little work. In the end, there is basically a Mexican stand-off between hubby and wife. I do not believe that either the theme or the moral hold up today. Let me point out that despite Cain's predilections for this little piece Double Indemnity, with a very much darker theme, is still remembered as a classic tale of murderous impulse. This one you can take or leave.

The Embezzler is, however, one you had better take, as its plot structure leads straight to the classics. This little sleeper of a story points to the fine twist and turns that Cain is rather noted for. The plot revolved around the complicity of a bank executive and the wife of a bank clerk to try to stave of family disaster (her's) by trying to "fix" the books of her philandering husband held in thrall by his fellow female employee, an accountant (go figure, right?). The twist and turns center, of course, around the attraction of the bank exec for the wronged wife who may, or may not be, on the up and up. Christ, this thing had me guessing for a while whether that exec was really going to take the tumble for a wrong "dame". Read this one. You will be glad.

I mentioned above that one of the things I want to read the original story of a film noir classic for is to see how close it is to the film version. Double Indemnity runs fairly close except as to the fates of the two lovers, if that is what they are. The plot here revolves around that old standard- life insurance- or rather more properly `death' insurance, for the insured. One hulky insurance agent meets one drop dead beautiful yoing wife of an insured older client. Said wife merely inquires about accident insurance for dear hubby. You know, he is in a dangerous business, producing oil in L.A. The rest is history- hubby is a goner. The double indemnity part? Oh, if you die in an accident on a train you get double. Get it? You will.

The core of the story goes to the compulsive nature of the actual murder once the wheels are set in motion, its cover-up and the falling out among thieves. Along the way we get an entanglement with the deceased insured lovely daughter, her `boyfriend' and enough duplicity to fill up the jails of 1930's California to capacity. No problem. Except the ending of this story doesn't match up with the film. Yes, the moral of both is that men (and women) must not do evil things to their fellows. Okay, but in the movie it is a straight proposition- the bad guys must pay back society for their crimes. They must die. In the book not only is that true but the bad guys had to feel guilt-ridden about it as well. So, instead of getting away with their nefarious deeds they must kill themselves. Moreover, as it turns, wifey didn't tell dear old insurance man that she had a little prior history of psychopathic behavior. So all of society's books are cleared on this one. Nice. I'll take the darker book ending, thank you.

I can't help it...reading through Cain's novel the voices in my head were those of Barbara Stanwyck, Fred McMurray and Edward G. Robinson.
Although this is a small book (128 p.) and a quick read, don't underestimate this little gem. It is perfectly written and packs an unexpected punch at the end. Highly recommended for anyone who likes noir fiction. And don't expect the movie ... Hollywood couldn't have possibly done it the way the author intended. A basic summary of the plot: Walter Huff is an insurance investigator who is able to smell a scam a mile away. But sadly, Walter isn't thinking with his brain when he meets Phyllis Nirdlinger, the wife of a customer. She wants to know about accident insurance; he knows without anyone even saying anything why she wants it. Walter is convinced that with his knowledge of the industry and how it works come paying out claims time that the two of them could plot the perfect murder and insurance scam. But the story's not over yet. During a period of time when the two have to cool their heels and avoid each other, Walter has time to sit back and think about things and realizes that there's more to the story here and that he must take some action before his company puts two and two together. That's the bare bones outline (I don't want to spoil the story). The book's ending is vastly different than that of the movie -- and I think more poetically just (if not a little strange). Cain's characterizations are well drawn and the writing is superb. A must for any fan of noir.

DOUBLE INDEMNITY is a noir classic, one of a handful of must-read noir books from the "hardboiled" school. Like his earlier book, THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, another must-read, DOUBLE INDEMNITY gets into the action quickly. Both books are short because Cain doesn't waste words. He's a master of crime noir, and DOUBLE INDEMNITY is a great noir novel. Read this book. I've read it several times and I never get tired of it.

Rather than recount the story and plot, which too many reviewers here have already done, I'll say this: the movie is terrific, but the book is better. And the more I read the book, the more I like it better than the movie. So if you've seen the movie, read the book. If you haven't seen the movie or read the book, do both. It doesn't matter which you do first.

Also, spend a few more dollars and buy the Everyman's Library volume, THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, MILDRED PIERCE, AND SELECTED STORIES. This high-quality hardcover volume weighs about as much as the typical Vintage Classic paperback, but includes Cain's three best novels, an appropriately-blood-red cloth cover, acid-free paper, and a chronology of Cain's life and works. This volume is one of the best book deals you'll ever find.

Walter Huff is an insurance agent who visited a client about renewing an automobile insurance policy. Mr. Nirdlinger is out but his wife is in. They'll call him. When Huff gets a call he finds the wife is interested in an accident policy for her husband (without his knowledge)! Huff immediately senses the danger in this; but there is a fatal attraction. Walter agrees to murder for Phyllis and the money, even though Phyllis has no cause to resent her husband. Walter explains the three things needed for a successful murder: help, planning, and audacity (as in a gangland slaying). Walter compares insurance to making a bet that something wouldn't happen (Chapter 2). Then daughter Lola Nirdlinger wants a loan against her boyfriend's car. Months pass, then an accident changes Mr. Nirdlinger's travel plans (Chapter 4). They kill Mr. Nirdlinger according to plan (Chapter 5). Chapter 6 tells about overnight train travel in those days. When Walter returns home he realizes he is now in Phyllis' power (Chapter 7).

After the accident the insurance investigators interviewed the people on the train. The insurance company believed it was a suicide so they wouldn't have to pay. Keyes uses the actuarial tables to dispute that theory, but he has no proof. It was important for a minister to be present at the Coroner's Inquest. Keyes surmises how it could have been done, and decides to have Phyllis watched. Lola has suspicions about Phyllis (Chapter 9). Lola tells Walter more about her boyfriend Sachetti, and they begin to spend time together. Lola has learned more about Phyllis! In Chapter 11 Walter decides to act for his safety in Griffith Park at midnight. He carefully plots this. But Phyllis has plans as well. Chapter 12 tells what happened that night. [The 1944 film changed the story, the book will be more intriguing.] Keyes in the Claim Department views the human race as "a little bit crooked" (Chapter 13). We learn why Sachetti was interested in Phyllis! [The 1944 film omitted this part.] Then there is still another surprise! Chapter 14 ties up the loose strings to this story.

The book is more complex than the 1944 film, and a better story. Read it before you see the film. [The basic story is similar to Shakespeare's "Hamlet".]

Maturation of James Cain's writing between "The Postman Always Rings Twice" to publication of "Double Indemnity" is obvious. To this reader, "Double Indemnity" is richer in text, more completely written, and truly incorporates a more deceitful and thoughtful murder(s).

"I know it's not true. I tell myself it's not true. But there's something in me. I don't know what. Maybe I'm crazy. But there's something in me that loves Death. I think of myself as Death, sometimes in a scarlet shroud. . .it doesn't seem terrible. It seems as though I'm doing something . . . Do you understand me, Walter?" Walter Neff, our protagonist narrator easily responds, "No."

By the book's end, in the last 15 pages, we learn a great deal about the meaning behind every word of every sentence of that paragraph. This paragraph explains Mrs. Phyllis Nirdlinger to us.

Like "Postman", the wife - Mrs. Nirdlinger - in this book is younger than her husband, she is pretty, came from Iowa and moved to then edenistic California. And, like "Postman", the protagonist is a gun for her to hire. Unlike "Postman", the woman is a black beauty incarnate. Walter does not know what to think of her. As he matures and learns more about her, the more he becomes perplexed. "I loved her like a rabbit loves a rattlesnake."

Eventually, like "Postman" each enters a "Prizzi's Honor" code of conduct - do unto the other as you would never allow the other to do unto you. Walter sets up a trap of the widow Nirdlinger, he thoughtfully sets her up for the kill and discovers, "I wasn't the only one that figured the world wasn't big enough for two people . . . I had come there to kill her, but . . . "

The next 10-15 pages outline who that woman is, where she has been and what she has done. Walter understandably acknowledges having been used, fesses up to his conduct and expects to be escorted to the electric chair. But like "Postman" the insurance company acquits evil - not with perjury, but in a manner as artful as the trial in "Postman." And, then. . . Cain delivers an ending which deciphers the second paragraph of this review - at that time we and Walter now can respond to her question in the affirmative. Oh, what a great ending.

Having read this book back-to-back with "Postman", each twists the plot like an all star mystery, but the more thorough and intellectual approach to murder described in this novel enticed this reader. And, the writing is more mature - not just dialogue as done in "Postman." Each is fun, each is great. I would never hesitate to recommend this book to anyone looking for a good mystery to read.

More than I had expected, very artistic and touching. The person I gave it to seemed to like it. <3

I loved this book and read it from front to back in one sitting. It is a great look inside the mind of a teenager. It takes you through all of her stuggles with unedited brutal honesty. It is easy to relate to her moments as a young woman growing up and her issues.

Jolene Siana's collection of letters and artwork sent to Ogre, from the band Skinny Puppy, is a moving chronicle of a girl's struggle to find place and meaning for herself at an age that is normally awkward at best. I found great beauty in this very human quest for self discovery and identity.

In his Basketball Diaries -- also a dark coming-of-age tale, no coincidence there -- Jim Carroll wrote, "I want to be pure." Jolene Siana, in a book that bravely lets light into the darkest corners of her tortured teenage years, offers readers just that -- a visceral, unblinking, honest look at her own struggle to be pure, to simply become. The letters and artwork that compile this book may have been therapeutic. They may have even helped the author survive. And bringing them together years later may have helped her yet again. But this isn't a self-indulgent book. It's a generous and open one. It's really Siana's readers -- anyone who feels lost, alone, and in need of connection; anyone searching for something pure in a world that's anything but -- who benefit here. This book is a gift.

what can i write about this book that hasn't already been said before? its great, and obviously a great deal of care was taken when this book was put together. recommended for cutters, ex-cutters, goths, punks, and any other "outsiders" in general.

Excellent Book. More frontier history packed into this small area of the US then any other part of the country. Well written and a very exciting part of American history. This is a book you just can't put down.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Frontiersman but this was too much data - I enjoy Eckert's descriptives and narratives - should have known as it is described as a chronicle of events.

Regardless of the Indian slaughters people kept moving west. They were not innocent in their fight to populate the frontier west of the Alleghenies. Indians took scalps and sold them to the British. The settlers given the opportunity also took Indian scalps for revenge. It took a long time before the people east of the Alleghenies to become concerned about the troubles in the west. In this book "Grity" is a troubled frontiersman rather than a monster. I agree with the author's viewpoint. By Ruth Thompson Author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"

I bought this book about two years ago. The last book by Eckert I had read before this was "The HAB Theory", published in the 70's. Overall, I enjoyed the book; however, much of what Eckert wrote about my family, the Zane Family, is innacurate. That's because he took what Zane Gray--a distant cousin--wrote in "Betty Zane" as gospel. The first Zane was NOT a Danish nobleman; he was an Englishman named Robert Zane, who came here in 1687 with William Penn (the Zanes were originally Quakers.) Robert's grandson, William, was kicked out of the Society of Friends for marrying a non-Quaker. William's children were Silas, Ebenezer, Jonathan, Andrew, Isaac, and Elizabeth. These are the 'famous' Zanes. Ebenezer founded Wheeling WV; Zanesville OH is named after him. Isaac, my direct ancestor, was raised by the Wyandots and married Myeerah, daughter of Chief Tarhe. Elizabeth--Betty--saved Fort Henry (Wheeling) in the last battle of the Revolution (NOT Ebenezer's wife, Elizabeth, as Eckert wrote). Many present day Zanes, including me, wrote to Eckert to protest what was written (I, personally, am miffed he made no mention of Isaac and Myeerah). He promised to make all corrections when the book comes out in another edition.

Eckert combines a great veracity for historical accuracy with a spellbinding ability to weave too-often dry history into a narrative form. This is a wonderful book, full of history and adventure--so much better than anything Hollywood could come up with!

Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos This was the book that started my youthful enjoyment of both history and becoming an avid reader. The tail of Ben Franklin's mouse, Amos, who gives him all the help he needs in inventing his now famous inventions and the founding of our nation is a timeless story. A fine start to give any child who shows an inkling of interest in history, or one whom you would wish be encouraged to do so.
It may be confusing for those too young to separate fantasy from fact, but the story is memorable enough, and cute and funny enough, to be picked up more than once in any one childhood, and will undoubtedly be properly inculcated as the allegory it is meant to be. Children will undoubtedly finally understand what a great and interesting man he was. And the humour makes the story enjoyable and palatable rather than a dry, dreary assignment from a school-teacher. And those old enough to understand on the first go around will take both characters in the book, Amos and Mr. Franklin, to heart, on friendly terms and most probably be driven to learn more. Of course, it can always be shared with a parent or other adult who can explain the difference for those too young to understand the difference on their own. Another great habit,...to read with a child.
I must mention that even as an adult, although I obviously read deeper histories these days, that this book is still in the back of my mind as I do so, as a memory of the impetus for me to begin my lifelong voracious habit of reading.
One should also note that the same author has a book by "Paul Revere's Horse", written in a similar voice and vein. Reading one means the child read a fun and decent book, having read two, it may be the beginning of a lifelong habit that can only improve one's life.

Lawson's 1939 spoof of the life of Benjamin Franklin in his elder years proves delightful literary fluff and a quick read for kids of all ages. It may even serve as a spring board to true history in middle school. This easy introduction to the Colonial era will entertain elementary schoolchildren with its mouse's eye view of Philadelphia and of France. Having decided to make his way in the world, though not too far from his extensive family who reside in penury in a church Vestry, Amos moves in with an inquisitive and enterprising older gent named Ben Franklin. Despite the vast difference in size--and seeming incompatibility of species--these two great minds are able to converse with ease.

The clever houseguest credits himself with much (unrecognized)
inspiration for the author of POOR RICHARD'S ALMANC. Amos shares his more opinions and suggestions on a variety of topics: the printing press, the portable stove, lightning, electricity--in fact he actually helps Ben prove that they are one and the same phenomenon. (Apparently spectacles were invented Before Amos moved in.) The only time their staunch friendship is seriously threatened is when Ben betrays mouse trust and his own word by using the little fellow in a dangerous meteorological experiment.

This humorous version of Ben's later years culminates in a mock preview of the French revolution (on a mouse scale, of course). The unfortunate result? the American diplomat was banned from the palace of Versailles, but what matter, so long as Sophia's family was rescued and reunited. It is truly amazing how mouse lives parallel human endeavor... By the time of Ben's 81st birthday Amos--ever the bachelor--is content to relax and enjoy the antics of the younger generation. He figures that Ben is old enough to manage his affairs pretty much on his own. The moral seems to be: When a man is not smart enough to assume the credit, a Mouse may boldly step in!

I read the book Ben and Me. This book is interesting. In the story, a lonely, rude, gray mouse named Amos finds Benjamin Franklin's house and sleeps in it. Amos becomes Benjamin's only pet and together they make their own, hot, big Franklin Stove. One cold, stormy, night Benjamin puts Amos on his big kite so Amos keeps getting shocked by lighting. Then, Amos and Benjaman go on a huge, wooden, brown ship to Paris and they become famous. A nice, pretty, girl rat named Sophia tells Amos that there are children stuck under the queen's throne. Amos calls all of the other mice in Paris to go save the children and together they do. I learned some interesting facts. I learned that Benjamin Franklin invented something called the Franklin Stove. I also learned that Benjamin Franklin had a gray mouse named Amos. Then, I learned that Benjamin loved inventing new machines. I would recommend this book for three reasons. First, I would recommend this book because it is well written with plenty of the adjectives. Second, I would recommend this book because it tells you a lot of information about Benjamin Franklin and his mouse Amos. Finally, I would recommend this book because it tells you what Benjamin Franklin liked to do when he was alive. Ben and Me is a great book to read.

ISBN 0440420385 (which now belongs to another book) - Really well-done, tongue in cheek "biography" of Benjamin Franklin, a man who is "undeniably stupid at times", according to Amos, the mouse, whose brilliant ideas seem to be all that stand between Franklin and certain death with his crazy experiments.

Amos, oldest of 26 children, comes from a family of church mice. Knowing how hard it is to feed such a brood, Amos sets out to try to find some way to help his family and stumbles into the home of Ben Franklin. Ben is sneezing away in a room thick with smoke from the fireplace until Amos gives him almost every detail Ben needs to create the famous Franklin Stove. Thrilled to have such a great mind at hand, Franklin works out an agreement with Amos and the two go on living and working together. When the Revolutionary War takes a financial toll on Washington's army, the two go to France to borrow from the French and Amos is able, with a great deal of help, to save one beautiful female mouse named Sophia and her seven children. After this final adventure, Amos is ready to settle down to a quiet life in his old age and thinks Ben should, too.

The back cover says the book is for ages 8-12. I think it might be a little tough for 8 year olds, with a large number of big words, but it's amusing enough that an 8 year old might make the effort to learn the words and expand their vocabulary. For the parents who worry about every little word in every book their kid reads, there's a couple disparaging "stupids" and one sentence that has Ben Franklin "tossing off" a shot of brandy. For those who just want their kid to enjoy a book and learn new words, this one's WELL worth it.

There are many boring, dull biographies on Benjamin Franklin. Then there is Ben and Me written by Robert Lawson, which is not the case. It is a Mr. Lawson calls it "A new and astonishing life on Benjamin Franklin as written by his good mouse AMOS."
It starts out in Philadelphia, where Amos, the oldest mouse of a huge family, leaves home in search of food and shelter. Bitterly cold, he stumbles upon Ben Franklin's house, goes inside and spots Ben Franklin's fur cap to warm up in. Ben notices him, but instead of shooting him, he enjoys Amos' company. After being together a little while Amos has already come up with a successful idea for an experiment for Ben, which was later named the "Franklin Stove".
Ben now thinks that this little mouse would be a great (talking) animal to have around the house for as an assistant. Next thing you know they are making an agreement where Ben will provide just what he was looking for ¬¬ food for him and food delivery for his family, plus the old warm fur hat to hang out in. And all the mouse has to do is hanging out and make comments, or as Ben calls it to "give advice."
It sounds like an ideal plan for Amos until two things happen. Ben takes up electrical experiments and Amos becomes the testing guinea pig. On one occasion Ben attempts to find out if lighting is electric. Amos was then strapped to a kite in the middle of a thunderstorm. He was up there for about a half hour to find out. His answer was `yes'.
It was a great book where Amos, the little mouse follows Ben through his life. I would recommend this book to anyone 6-10 years old.

My mother-in-law read this book in one weekend and loved it. I haven't read it yet but I'm sure to enjoy it from what she said.

Mr. Greene has written a terrific tribute to lifelong friendship. Jumping back and forth between how the ABCDJ group was during their youth and into the present in which they are all dealing with the deterioration and ultimate death of Jack is very effective. Mr. Greene attempts to convey the conflicting emotions that come with the death of an important element in his life. It made me appreciate how truly lucky I am to have similar relationships with my own group of five lifelong friends. This book is a keeper and I intend to give one copy to each of my four cronies.

I am about 16 years younger than Bob Greene, I grew up in Arizona, and not in the mid-west, but I can really relate to this book. I too have four great friends that I am still close too, we have watched each other's back for over 30 years. We have stood by each other through thick and thin. Right now one of us is very ill, and I worry that I am going to live what Green when though all too soon.
Good book, sad subject.

I heard about this book from a friend. I am so thankful that it was recommended to me. I have since bought 6 copies for gifts to other friends. If you want to remember your childhood, cry over the pain of adulthood and begin to understand why we are here and what we should be, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU ! ! !
Don't let this one pass you by.
Thank you, Bob, for this wonderful stroll down memory lane -- with all the highs and lows..............

First, the praise: This book is an example of why most people think they could be writers. Greene's plain, straight-ahead, uncomplicated writing style just makes it seem so easy. Somehow, seemingly just by putting one word after another, he writes prose that is extremely readable. Of course it's not that easy, or I'd be doing it, too.
Now, the criticism: This isn't one of his best works. I have two main complaints: First, while the subject matter is by its nature sentimental, Greene lets it slip beyond the sentimental, to the maudlin. Second, the reminiscenses (is that a word? see what I mean about writing not being easy?) are too personal. Sure, some of his childhood experiences are similar to mine and yours. But still, they're HIS experiences -- not mine or yours. There was never a Toddle House in my part of the country. And the stuff that made Greene and his pals roll on the floor laughing as they reminisced really didn't seem that funny to the reader. You had to be there, in other words.
Summary: Good read. Not a great read.

I loved this book, I could hardly put it down. Beverly Lewis writes her books in mini-series form and they are funny, have the ability to transport you to being part of the Amish (watch out though you may find yourself speaking like the Amish!)and they also leave unanswered questions in each book that make you want to finish the entire series to get the final answers. She puts some interesting twists and turns in the book. Overall, I think The Prodigal and the books that go with it are a "must read".

In the Prodigal, the Ebersol family is growing up and away. Mary Ruth has turned Mennonite and married Robert, the doctor's son. She is expecting her first child.

Lydiann is up to her rumpspringhe years already, and has met up with Jake, who unbeknownst to both of them are aunt and nephew. It will be discovered by Leah that Sadie's so-called stillborn son is still very much alive. She makes that discovery by accident while working for the doctor. What she soon discovers is that the doctor had switched the babies around when Fannie Mast really did have a stillborn child, and one living boy. Then when Sadie's baby begins breathing suddenly, he gives Sadie's boy to Fannie, knowing it would avoid disgrace to the Ebersol family and more severe punishment to Sadie herself at that time. So Jake grows up in the Mast family all these years as their own boy along with his twin. It wasn't until Leah discovers that Lydiann is dating him, and to her horror, she must break these two apart. So Jake is sent away to the Ohio Amish community there to work as Jonas's apprentice. The Mast family and the Ebersol's are estranged anyhow as Fannie and Peter felt that Leah was the cause of Jonas's shunning, and they never forgave for that.

And poor Sadie. In order to get accepted fully again into the Amish community and her family, she has to go through a period of proving which means she must not wander far away from the house. Something happens that she does break the rules a little bit when she goes outside to far after her sister Mary Ruth. The bishop Bontrager catches her in the act, and very cruelly wants her out away from her family. She goes to live with the Nolts for awhile until the bishop is talked into bending a little by Gid, Hannah's husband. But this time is really her last chance.

Hannah and Gid are expecting their fourth baby and Hannah has postpartum depression very badly. Gid is very concerned about her until she finally sees the doctor.

Abe, the youngest in the Ebersol family who was Ida's last child when she died right after birth has a serious accident in the ice after a slip and fall. He has a very bad head injury from which he is knocked comatose and almost doesn't recover. Leah consults the scripture that her mother always read, that is against Amish rules. The prayer works, and Abe does wake up. But afterwords, it takes a long time for him to come back and recover fully.

Abram himself is beginning to mellow a lot in this book, and as you read, you'll find he is more relaxed and gentler in spirit. He and Aunt Lizzie actually fall in love and marry in the book. And surprisingly, he even likes Mary Ruth's husband Robert a Mennonite, welcoming them into his home whereas he would not have before at a certain time there.

The book has so much rich detail and is very very well written that it is hard to lay down once you start reading. Every book in this series has been great. I am sure that the last one, Revelation, will be just as good as the stories of the Amish Ebersol family comes to a climax there.

This was an excellent read. I couldn't stop until I had read all 5 books in the Abram's Daughters series.

This series is an excellent one! I would recommend it to everyone who enjoys stories about the Amish culture.

In the Prodigal, the Ebersol family is growing up and away. Mary Ruth has turned Mennonite and married Robert, the doctor's son. She is expecting her first child.

Lydiann is up to her rumpspringhe years already, and has met up with Jake, who unbeknownst to both of them are aunt and nephew. It will be discovered by Leah that Sadie's so-called stillborn son is still very much alive. She makes that discovery by accident while working for the doctor. What she soon discovers is that the doctor had switched the babies around when Fannie Mast really did have a stillborn child, and one living boy. Then when Sadie's baby begins breathing suddenly, he gives Sadie's boy to Fannie, knowing it would avoid disgrace to the Ebersol family and more severe punishment to Sadie herself at that time. So Jake grows up in the Mast family all these years as their own boy along with his twin. It wasn't until Leah discovers that Lydiann is dating him, and to her horror, she must break these two apart. So Jake is sent away to the Ohio Amish community there to work as Jonas's apprentice. The Mast family and the Ebersol's are estranged anyhow as Fannie and Peter felt that Leah was the cause of Jonas's shunning, and they never forgave for that.

And poor Sadie. In order to get accepted fully again into the Amish community and her family, she has to go through a period of proving which means she must not wander far away from the house. Something happens that she does break the rules a little bit when she goes outside to far after her sister Mary Ruth. The bishop Bontrager catches her in the act, and very cruelly wants her out away from her family. She goes to live with the Nolts for awhile until the bishop is talked into bending a little by Gid, Hannah's husband. But this time is really her last chance.

Hannah and Gid are expecting their fourth baby and Hannah has postpartum depression very badly. Gid is very concerned about her until she finally sees the doctor.

Abe, the youngest in the Ebersol family who was Ida's last child when she died right after birth has a serious accident in the ice after a slip and fall. He has a very bad head injury from which he is knocked comatose and almost doesn't recover. Leah consults the scripture that her mother always read, that is against Amish rules. The prayer works, and Abe does wake up. But afterwords, it takes a long time for him to come back and recover fully.

Abram himself is beginning to mellow a lot in this book, and as you read, you'll find he is more relaxed and gentler in spirit. He and Aunt Lizzie actually fall in love and marry in the book. And surprisingly, he even likes Mary Ruth's husband Robert a Mennonite, welcoming them into his home whereas he would not have before at a certain time there.

The book has so much rich detail and is very very well written that it is hard to lay down once you start reading. Every book in this series has been great. I am sure that the last one, Revelation, will be just as good as the stories of the Amish Ebersol family comes to a climax there.

[...]

This is another great book by Cindy Woodsmall. I can hardly wait to read the next installment. When the Morning Comes is about changes in life. You can think you have things all planned, but then something happens and everything changes. This book clearly demonstrates how tightly you need to hold on to your faith and to remember that although it seems like everyone is against you, God is always for you. This is also a lesson in learning from your choices. What you chose to do or not do will affect everyone around you.
Hannah Lapp was shunned by all the people in her Amish community except a very good friend. Even Paul, the boy she loved, turned his back on her. Hannah left the Amish life and began anew. She moved in with her Aunt and adapted to the English culture. She is called back to the Amish community for an emergency. Now we must wait to see what happens next.

Once again Cindy Woodsmall grabs the reader right from the start. I loved that Cindy starts this story exactly where the other story ended. Cindy has a way of taking the reader and having you see and feel Hannah's pain and struggle, which makes it real. It was fascinating how Hannah explores and discovers new things in this Englischers world. It's not like anything she was raised in. It's extremely hard to get used to, but she can't go back to being shunned in her Amish community. Lies were being spread about her and there was nothing she could do to make them go away. No one believed that she was faithful to her God - she did nothing wrong but everything was made to look and feel so terrible. She had left a note for Paul (the love of her life) and even called to see if they could be together, but he had begun to believe the lies also. She couldn't believe how fast he could turn on her - just like everyone else did. She was all alone to face a new life by herself. But, there was still one family member that might take her in - her aunt. She knew her aunt would understand her plight. Hannah had to reach out and try to connect with her - it was her only hope.

Back in Hannah's Old Order Amish community, they all start to regret their decision which forced Hannah to run off. They talked to one another and found out that she was telling the truth. How could they have abandoned her in her time of need? How could they live with themselves? How would this young woman make it on her own? Paul wants to run after her, but no one knows where Hannah went. Why hasn't she called or written? Everyone waited for the day that Hannah's heart was healed and she would want to come back to the community she was raised in. Then they could show her the love they had for her. Would they ever get that chance?

Cindy Woodsmall has many gems in her book mixed amongst the seriousness. The book has humor and gems of advice like "You need to forgive yourself. You need to believe what you did is not more powerful that what God can do from this point forward." Amen to that. Wow!

I loved how Cindy goes back and forth between the events in these two different worlds. In the first, the Old Order Amish Community, we see how life continues in this world while everyone deals with Hanna's disappearance. The second world is a new, exciting and terrifying world that Hanna has escaped to. Here, we see how she learns to take care of herself and find some peace in this unknown environment. She doesn't want to look back...she can't. It's just too painful!

You will be totally absorbed in this fascinating story of self-discovery, forgiveness, love and the really important things that make this life worth living. I can't wait to read the last installment of this series.

Nora St.Laurent
[...]

This author draws the reader into the story. The characters are so real that I found myself taking sides with some of the people as I read all night. I find myself anxious for the last book in this series to be released. I feel this author should win literary awards.

When the Morning Comes is as beautiful as When the Heart Cries. I have been a reader for about 30 years now and I can not remember ANY novel that held my attention like these two have. The characters are life like and there is always something on the next page that you can not wait to get to! I just finished up the second book a few nights ago. I got online to see if (hopefully) Cindy Woodsmall had a book to follow. Oh I am so very pleased! I can not wait until September to see what becomes of Paul and Martin! I have pre-ordered my book tonight. I am just amazed at how awesome Cindy's books are. If you are thinking about ordering the series...don't spend another minute. I promise you won't be able to put them down! Awesome work Cindy!

MY SITER ELLEN TURNED ME ONTO THE AMISH BOOKS BY BEVERLY LEWIS, ONE DAY IN BORDERS DISAPOINTED THE NEW ONE WAS NOT IN STOCK I RAN ACROSS CINDY WOODSMALLS FIRST BOOK SO I DECIDED TO BUY IT. WHAT A GREAT FIND, LOVED BOTH BOOKS. I LIVE IN NJ AND I LOVE GOING TO LANCASTER AREA AND SOME PARTS OF NJ HAVE MANY VENDERS AT FLEA MARKET WHERE THE AMISH LIVE. IF YOU EVER CAN MAKE THE TRIPYOU WILL LOVE IT AND THE WARMTH OF THE PEOPLE ARE WONDERFUL SO READING THE BOOKS ARE A NICE WAY TO SORT OF TAKE ME THERE IN BETWEEN VISIT TO MY FRIEND OVER IN PA.
THE FIRST BOOK I COULD NOT PUT DOWN AND THIS ONE WAS EXCELLENT AS WELL. IT SHOWS ANOTHER SIDE OF THE AMISH MY HEART BROKE WHEN HER FAMILY DID NOT BELEIVE HER ABOUT THE RAPE. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HER NEXT ONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW HER LIKE LEWIS. ENJOY!!!

She is so good and portraying life as it realy is among the Amish.What A good book.Nadia REhmani

This book truly is entitled properly "Sacrifice," as that is exactly what it is for Leah most of all.

At the beginning though, the twins Mary Ruth and Hannah are both of courting age now and are dating the Stolzfus boys, Elias with Mary Ruth, and Ezra with Hannah. Mary Ruth especially is so much in love with Elias, and when the doctor's son Robert comes to town, a tragedy occurs. On one very dark night after the singings, Robert doesn't see the horse and buggy and runs them down in his car causing a deadly accident. Elias dies at the hospital, and Mary Ruth completely goes to pieces. Robert is studying to be a minister and he is simply sick all over about this, even though pardoned by the People.

It is a long time before Mary Ruth comes around, and when she gets back into living again, wants to attend high school against her Dat's wishes naturally. Mary Ruth is so hurt and everything though, she doesn't care what her Dat thinks, and goes ahead anyway to live with the Englishers she babysits for, and begin her high school career. Abram is furious over his daughter doing this, and bans her from the rest of the family. Ida the mother, has a secret fit, but must abide by her husband's wishes.

Leah is becoming in love with Gideon, the smithy's son. They have plans to marry later, but all that will change when Ida is pregnant with their fifth child, hoping for a boy this time around, and another tragedy befalls the family.

On Christmas Eve, Ida is having severe pains and getting ready to deliver the baby. Leah and Hannah were out during most of this time, and stopped on the way back from church services to see Mary Ruth at the Nolt's. When they finally get back, they discover their mother in dire pain, and as the birth progresses, Hannah has to seek immediate help for their mom with the midwife as she is bleeding quite profusely. Sadly, Ida is beyond help and dies right after getting to hold her son Abe only one time. The whole thing falls on dear Leah's shoulders now, as she feels responsible for her 2 year old sister Lydiann, and Abe now.


Leah knows she cannot possibly marry Gideon at this time or maybe never, is she is now responsible for mothering two kids. She is very committed to both children and like her aunt Lizzie, will be a maidel for a very long time.

Interestingly enough, Ezra, Hannah's love, has gone into the English ways, and the two have grown further apart. Gideon though has taken an interest in Hannah, and the two fall in love and will marry in this book, having their own children.

Abram has serious regrets and begins to soften more in this book as time goes along. He welcomes Mary Ruth back into the fold again, and his other oldest and long lost daughter Sadie comes back into the picture again. Leah is not ready to welcome Sadie back with open arms from all the hurt and betrayals in the past. There is a lot of pain between those two, so it seems it will take awhile to truly make amends.

Death-bed vow to mom:

Leah will care for siblings.

Good-bye courting years.

I LOVED this book!!! Abram's Daughters are one of my favorite series. Honestly, tears were rolling down my cheeks when Leah's adoptive Mama died. And when Sadie came home and told Leah she hadn't married Jonas, I started crying/laughing with relief. The whole book was just superb, the only problem was that I wanted read #4 right after #3 and I didn't have it yet!

#3 in a series of 5....... and this one keeps you coming back for more!! More twists and turns as expected from Beverly Lewis; fantastic series!

One quickly forgets about the difficulties in keeping up with the characters in this book while dodging dive bombers.

One actually feels as if present during the run for Malta. I recommend the book for any history buff - if only for the Churchill sections.

A good buy for a good read.

Ern Campbell, MD

This is quite a good and interesting book about the convoy runs to Malta and in particular the voyage of the tanker OHIO. Having read the first half, I was however expecting to find the two American hero's personally swatting Axis planes out of the sky with their caps by the end. Instead while they act with supreme bravery, that bravery and guts is shared by a whole lot of other men too.

The build up is therefore almost a let down. The two main characters end up doing the same amazingly heroic deeds as the other people they share the story with, so that one is left wondering why the author didnt concentrate on the heroism of the entire bunch. It was certainly well deserved. Or was he specifically writing for an American audience and needed to show how, as the cover suggests, these two intredid heroes won WW2? I think the American flag may have slipped over the computer screen a little too often while he was writing.

What ever the reason for concentrating so much praise on these two men, nothing can diminish their heroism. Their dedication and sheer guts. In a crisis situation many people will rise to the occasion, and others will fail. In this story a few do fail, but the majority rise to deal with the terrible ordeal they must go through.

The research information is amazing. The author has travelled widely and written many letters to survivors in order to tell his story. He is to be commended for that. But there are some very silly editorial mistakes that diminish the research. On one hand he is telling us that the lack of fuel kept the Italian Battleships in port, and on another he twice describes one of the Italian cruisers as a battleship. British destroyers with 5" guns? I think not. There are other silly little mistakes that an editor should have picked up if he thoroughly read what the author had written.
Overall, the author does deserve praise for telling a good story and telling it well.

The thrust of historical research is of a very high standard that is only slightly marred by the silly mistakes described. I'm a little surprised an ex-Navy man would have made some of the errors of detail.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about the incredible voyage of the tanker OHIO. Its a good read and an entertainingly written one.

There's a lot to like about this book. Moses tells a great story. As other readers have pointed out, this is a tale of epic heroism and sacrifice, and you don't see many books that tell of WWII as it was fought by the merchant marine. Moses did his research, and makes liberal use of the recollections of those who fought this battle.

But "At All Costs" falls short of five stars for a couple reasons. At times it's hard to follow the action and the sequence of events, or to understand how events relate. Moses puts you in the moment and it can be tough to step back and understand the big picture.

And the subtitle, "How a crippled ship and two American merchant mariners turned the tide of World War II," shows how the book overreaches. I'm not discounting the importance of Malta, but you can't hang the outcome of the second world war on any one battle or event -- the allies would not have lost the war if Malta had fallen. Greater forces were at work, such as the economic strength of the United States, Hitler's failure as strategist, and Russia's vast territory and manpower (and willingness to sacrifice that manpower). This overreach hurts the book's credibility. The statement, noted by another reviewer, that German historians have always wondered how Churchill persuaded Stalin to join the Allies, doesn't help credibility either.

Finally, the two merchant seamen of the subtitle are featured prominently. This gets the book off to a slow start, as Moses tries too hard to inject human interest into a story that doesn't need it. Don't get me wrong -- those guys were heroes, but virtually everyone on that convoy was a hero.

If you're into naval history, I recommend this book. Just treat it as a great read and not necessarily great history.

"At All Costs" is the story of a "do-or-die" resupply effort for British-held Malta in the Mediterranean that was key to its aircraft and submarines continuing to block oil to Rommel in Africa, then allowing the launching of the Eisenhower-led invasion of Africa. The authenticity of this resupply importance is born out by British P.M. Churchill's making a special trip to President Roosevelt to request borrowing the tanker Ohio to participate, sister ship of the already lost Kentucky in a prior effort, and one of the few tankers available - most fuel to this point was carried in limited quantities (sometimes in submarines) in 5-gallon cans or 45-gallon barrels. In addition, Churchill closely followed the convoy's progress, even while meeting with Stalin.

Despite an escort of 2 battleships, 4-5 aircraft carriers, 7 cruisers, 25 destroyers, plus minesweepers, etc. only 5 cargo ships out of the original 14 made it. Fortunately, this included the most important of all Ohio - though it was in imminent danger of sinking. Three-hundred and fifty men died and many more were seriously wounded in less than a week, as the Axis powers attacked with 500-1,000 aircraft, an estimated 200 submarines, and an unknown number of large surface ships and PT boats.

Both sides made serious errors - fortunately, the Italians made the biggest - keeping their heaviest ships in port when they probably could have finished the convoy off.

Experts believe this convoy turned the tide of the war, and months later two more convoys successfully brought in 9 more cargo ships, without a loss. Regardless, there is no doubt whatsoever that the bravery and sacrifice exhibited by the American and British sailors during this operation was incredible! We all owe them so much!

Ok is this great book, no. Is it a good read, well yes? The problem is that there are too many little mistakes that were made, pp 192 he refers to the battleship, Trieste. The Trieste was a Heavy Cruiser. The photograph identified as a JU-88 twin engine passing over a cruiser, is actually a tri-motor Italian bomber, you can even see the Italian markings on the planes wings. I don't even know what to do with this statement, pp 184, "German historians have long wondered how Churchill managed to persuade Stalin to join the allies." Hmm that little thing of Germany invading Russia may have had something to do with it, yah think. There are odd little statements throughout the book which has no basis in historic fact, the Swedes allowed the Germans to enter Norway through the backdoor. ????? Weak on sources, most are dated; there are far better histories of the Italian Navy then the ones used.
With all that this is still a great read and the guts that many of these men, not all, is truly remarkable. Would make a great film.

Neo-platonic philosophy, traveler's tales, the expository structure of letters from imaginary places, and some mighty compelling principle characters are somewhat let down by a narrative that visits many interesting places, but ultimately doesn't do very much. This is a book of observations and inaction. Still, brilliant for its treatment of the Platonic "Goods" and the world of play pieces.

Can't say I understand it all, but it's a book you'll love to discuss with others. And that's a high recommendation, isn't it?

... to get through all the discussions of The Chess Garden. This book exists in layers of story and levels of meaning like nearly no other book I have read. Mr. Hansen's prose is lucid, calm, and surprising; you sink into his narrative and follow along in what amounts to an elderly man's love letter to his wife, his way of helping her and their community after a period of loss and grief, and ultimately his way of both being useful and saying goodbye. Our book club, which has met for 10 years now, found much to wonder at and discuss in this book. Like another reviewer here, we read it because it was pressed on us -- "you have to read this book!," -- and in the dozens of books we have read since, only a very few come near to The Chess Garden in grace, meaning, and readability. It's not a fast read -- but it offers gentle and amazing rewards. It is dense. And it is worth it.

I get annoyed when commentators who haven't seen the movie nor read the book weigh in, and so herein I risk causing such annoyance, but I read enough of "The Chess Garden" to be totally flummoxed by its myriad problems. I stopped halfway through when I realized that the story line was incoherent and contradictory. Poor editing of the narrative arc marred what promised to be an interesting tale. For example, on page 78 (Riverhead Trade Paperback, Nov 1996), we learn that "all twelve of the letters ... were composed in South Africa," presumably after the Doctor finally left the Antipodes. But many of the letters are written in what reads like current time: Dr. U continually tells Sonja what he will do tomorrow, as if he was writing the letters from the island while the events were happening, not later in South Africa. "But I will let you know as I learn more," he closes one letter (p. 77), as if he hadn't already learned all there was to learn, because he had already left the island! This perspective permeates all the letters. Suspension of disbelief is necessary so that we can enjoy magical realism in a story, but illogical composition undermines this process.

Also, I could not get past the problem that the letters contain dialogue, and often dialect, which are two totally unbelievable elements of letter-writing. Would someone really take the time to compose another person's words in dialect, as Dr. U. does with, say, Diggery Priest? (And whatever became of this character??)

I finally began to give up during the sixth letter, the one about Pelagia, and into the seventh. Chapter 11 opens by announcing that the "second half" of the seventh letter was "read four days after the first." These lines immediately follow the end of a chapter devoted to the SIXTH, not the first half of the seventh, letter. It didn't make any sense (nor did the puzzle leaves).

In another distracting error, the author writes that Gustav and Sonja met at a church fair in Groningen (p. 107). Yet pages 126-27 relate how Gustav met Sonja in the village of Ijislt. This error combined with the other noted problems rendered the narrative quite incoherent and rather untrustworthy in my view.

Others have noted the brilliance of this novel. I wanted to agree but ultimately found its strengths deeply buried beneath these terribly distracting road blocks. I may seem to be nitpicking an otherwise good tale, but the problems were endemic and prevented me from enjoying the work, which isn't to say someone else cannot enjoy it very much by perhaps reading it less carefully. But, the letters were simply unbelievable in how they presented dialogue and action. Their characterization of having been composed in South Africa rang as false. And there were too many other narrative inconsistencies that thwarted the telling of a good story. It read like a penultimate draft, one that could have used a little more time to pull it all together.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Hansen's novel "The Monsters of St. Helena," I am quite disappointed to have been so disappointed by the "The Chess Garden."

As most of the other reviewers have noted, this novel is amazing. It combines the best of mainstream literary fiction with the best of surreal fantasy. Readers of both types of fiction will love this book. I am somewhat perplexed by Cox's comments. The fact is, when we read a book we suspend our disbelief--we don't eradicate it. So the fantasy sequences, no matter what their origin, should still be evocative and powerful to most readers. In fact, their origin makes them all the more powerful to me, as does the allegorical content. This is one of the few books to both uplift me and to make me cry (in a non-sentimental, non-manipulative way).

Towards the end of Brooks Hansen's The Chess Garden, there is a conversation between the novel's hero-cum-narrator, Dr. Gustav Uyterhoeven, and a visitor to his garden in Dayton, Ohio. The visitor has spent months visiting alleged psychics, and the doctor explains to him that he does this out of a desire to find God. Although the visitor believes himself to be an atheist, he is standing outside the doors of the church, listening to the prayers going on inside and wishing he could feel that faith.

Reading the reviews of The Chess Garden, I find myself in a similar situation. All but one of the reviewers (who include Jeff VanderMeer, one of my favorite authors of modern fantasy) refer to the novel in ecstatic terms, almost as if it were a spiritual experience, whereas all I see is a rather dull, overlong, magical-realist allegory with delusions of profundity.

Partly this is my fault, as I read too much of The Chess Garden expecting a fantasy. Although a significant portion of the novel - the titular letters of Dr. Uyterhoeven - takes place in an imaginary land called The Antipodes, populated entirely by game pieces, this imaginary land is thin and unconvincing. From the moment of its introduction, allegory alarms starting going off in my head, and indeed, The Antipodes have no need for logic, consistency, character arcs, a coherent history, or any other attribute that would make the land stand up off the page. Why should it? The letters exist solely to illustrate the doctor's muddled philosophical ideas. Which is where we come to my own fault, because there are plenty of readers for whom allegory is the best kind of fantasy, and certainly there are thin, unconvincing and even allegorical fantasy worlds that nevertheless manage to draw the reader in (Narnia is a good example), but I am not usually one of those readers, and Hansen's Antipodes is not one of those worlds. I shouldn't have expected Hansen to write a convincing world, and perhaps I should have put the book down once I realized that his world wasn't drawing me in, but I told myself that I could read the novel as magical realism, and see what ideas Hansen had to sell.

Sadly, I was never able to discern those ideas. The parts of The Chess Garden that tell the story of Dr. Uyterhoeven's own life are overlong and tedious. Too many pages are taken up with obscure philosophical discussions, the importance of which is never sufficiently explained. Why does it matter that Uyterhoeven is a quasi-mystic surrounded by rationalists, if his final conclusions are the same as theirs? Invariably, when reading these passages, my eyes would glaze over and I would find myself counting pages until the end of the chapter.

When I closed the book, I found that it had left no residue in me. I was even uncertain about writing a review, as I felt I had nothing to say. I have no idea what Hansen was trying to do with The Chess Garden, and I can only regret the time I wasted trying to find out.